Tickborne Encephalitis

Disease Risk Areas

Eastern Europe, USSR and forested regions of Austria and Federal Republic of Germany.

Transmission

Virus transmitted by the bite of an infected tick.

Recommendations

Only those exposed to tick bites are at risk eg. long term local residents, ramblers, scouts and those occupationally exposed such as foresters.

Vaccination

Type: Killed
Primary course: 2 injections
Dosage: 0.5ml
Route: I/M
Interval: 2 weeks to 3 months
Initial booster: after 6-9 months
Length of protection: upto 1 yr after 2 doses and 3 yrs after 3 doses.
Extra Boosters: every 3 years

Hyperimmune globulin is available on the continent for use within 4 days of a tick bite.

Side effects
Occasionally redness and swelling at the injection site.

Notes
15/05/96. Hyperimmune globulin - in addition to post exposure use IMMUNO LTD suggest there may be circumstances where this can be used pre-exposure, as for travellers at high risk who have no time to be actively immunised. Dosage is based on body weight and the period of effectivness is one month.