[Tick Alert]

For anyone who loves outdoor sports and activities such as hiking, climbing, camping, cycling, mountain biking etc, check out the website Tickalert.org! It has the “TBE Travel Check” tool which helps travellers/backpackers to find out if they might at risk of Tick-borne Encephalitis because of where they are going and outdoor activities planned.

TBE is transmitted within minutes from the bite of an infected tick and causes an average of 13,000 cases needing hospital treatment in Europe and Russia every year. Up to 30% of patients suffer meningitis and in extreme cases it leads to encephalitis (brain swelling) and inflammation of the spinal cord.

[Muenchener]

Endemic in Bavaria where I live. Most people who regularly go out into the woods are immunised, which would be worth considering for somebody who was planning a big central European trip. Lead time is quite long though. Also check frequently, not just at the end of the day, and always carry tweezers or a dedicated tick remover