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. 2022 Sep;13(5):101972.
doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101972. Epub 2022 May 23.

The epidemiology of infectious diseases in Europe in 2020 versus 2017-2019 and the rise of tick-borne encephalitis (1995-2020)

Victoria A Jenkins  1 , Guenter Silbernagl  2 , Lorraine R Baer  3 , Bernard Hoet  4
Affiliations

The epidemiology of infectious diseases in Europe in 2020 versus 2017-2019 and the rise of tick-borne encephalitis (1995-2020)

Victoria A Jenkins et al. Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Health control measures instituted in 2020 to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic decreased the case numbers of many infectious diseases across Europe. One notable exception was tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). In Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic, the upturn was significantly higher compared to the average of the three years previously (P<0.05), with increases of 88%, 48%, 51%, 28%, and 18%, respectively. Six countries reported TBE incidences of ≥5 cases/100,000, defined as highly endemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Possible factors contributing to this surge may include increased participation in outdoor activities in endemic regions and increased tick counts/tick activity. In highly endemic regions, the WHO recommends that vaccination be offered to all age groups, including children.

Keywords: COVID-19; Climate change; Epidemiology; TBE; Tick; Vaccine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Victoria A Jenkins, Guenter Silbernagl, and Bernard Hoet are employees of Bavarian Nordic. Lorraine R Baer is an employee of Baer PharMed Consulting, Ltd, which received funding from Bavarian Nordic for medical writing support.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig. 1
TBE incidence per 100,000 inhabitants in 2020.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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