Nurses think TBE risk only in half of all European destinations

January 2008

Many nurses providing travel health advice do not realise that Tick Borne Encephalitis (TBE) is endemic in twice as many countries in Europe as they think.

In a survey by Tick Alert 37% of nurses said the disease, which can prove fatal, is prevalent in up to 15 countries, when the latest research puts the number of TBE destinations in mainland Europe at 27. Six per cent think the disease is endemic in less than 10 countries.

And while a third of those questioned have seen an increase in the number of patients enquiring about TBE and 75 per cent are aware that a pre-travel TBE vaccine exists, the results show that understanding of the disease risk is poor with 72 per cent saying all aspects of their knowledge of TBE could be improved.

A spokesperson for Tick Alert said: “With the growing popularity of active holidays, particularly in countries of Central Europe and the surge in visitor numbers to the Baltic States, it’s imperative that travel health nurses keep up-to-date with the latest information about TBE and risk areas.”

The majority of respondents listed fever as one of the main symptoms of TBE, and Tick Alert advocates that patients returning from summer holidays complaining of flu-like symptoms should be asked about their recent travel history as a matter of course.

Visitors to rural areas of endemic countries, particularly those participating in outdoor activities such as trekking, hiking, camping and cycling are particularly at risk of contracting TBE.

Tick Alert urges nurses to advise patients who may be at risk of contracting the disease to seek adequate protection before travelling.

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