Robert Koch-Institut (RKI)
FSME: Risikogebiete in Deutschland (Stand: Januar 2019) Bewertung des örtlichen Erkrankungsrisikos
[TBE: risk areas in Germany. Evaluation of the regional risk to acquire TBE]
Epid. Bull. 2019; 7:57-70, doi 10.25646/5892.2
www.rki.de
The number of reported TBE cases has increased during the last years. In 2018, 583 cases have been notified, which is 20% more than in 2017 and the highest number that has ever been reported in Germany (registration since 2001). 98% of the patients were unvaccinated or insufficiently vaccinated. Most infections occurred from May to October. In Germany, risk areas are defined on the level of counties (Landkreis) and in 2018, infections have been reported from 141 counties (131 in 2017). Currently, 161 counties are regarded as risk areas. Most risk areas are located in the Federal States Bavaria (91) and Baden-Württemberg (43), both located in southern Germany, and 87% of all TBE cases have been reported from these two Federal States. In 2018, the first county in Lower Saxony (northern Germany) has been classified as risk area (Emsland, close to the Netherlands). In 126 counties, the incidence was at least 1 infection/100.000 population for a 5-year period between 2002 and 2018. In most cases, Ixodes ricinus is the vector, while in some cases, Dermacentor reticulatus is the vector and this tick is emerging, especially in eastern Germany. The vaccination coverage is regarded as insufficient. An increase in the vaccination coverage, especially in the 53 counties accounting for 67% of all cases reported from 2014-2018, would help to decrease the number of infections.