Diseases
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)
The tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a systemic infection caused by human-pathogenic TBE-virus. The TBE-virus gets with the tick bite directly through the salivary gland of the tick into the skin of its' victim.
Transmission and Disease of the FSME Virus
The FSME virus enters directly from the salivary gland of the tick into the skin of its host during the bite. From there, it travels to nearby lymph nodes and then to other organs such as connective tissue, skeletal muscles, myocardium, as well as monocytes and phagocytes, where the virus replicates rapidly. In a second viremic phase, the FSME virus penetrates the central nervous system and can reach the brain. In Germany, notification to the public health authority is required in case of direct or indirect evidence of the FSME virus indicating an infection.
FSME can lead to severe inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include:
Fever, headaches, fatigue, nausea, meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). In severe cases, FSME can result in long-term neurological damage or even death.
