Article content
In recent weeks all attention has been focused on the coronavirus pandemic . Experts, however, warn that by closing borders we may protect ourselves from respiratory illness, but shortly thereafter we will have to fight another blow!
Epidemiologists agree that besides the disease COVID-19 we should also worry about tick-borne encephalitis, which could spread nationwide this year. As a result of closed borders the vast majority of Slovaks will spend their holidays on our territory. This may thus lead to more cases in which an infected tick “attacks” a person.
Ticks
Tick activity begins in March and peaks around late May and June. “It is paradoxical that people call for a non-existent vaccine against COVID-19, but on the other hand do not fully use the vaccines that doctors have at their disposal and that protect against other serious illnesses. An example can be vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis or the flu, “ said epidemiologist from the Infectious Diseases Clinic of the University Hospital in Ostrava Lenka Petroušová for idnes.cz .
Warning
The occurrence of infected ticks is primarily along the banks of the Váh River. In this area the highest morbidity related to tick-borne encephalitis has been recorded. Annually it is said to be about 70 to 90 cases, but in the coming months this number may be much larger.
