Tick born encephalitis in Scandinavia?

[Lonesome George]

I'm going to Scandinavia and Finland on my bike in August. Camping and biking around for 5 weeks. I went to the Doctors as I needed a few jabs and they suggested I get a vaccine for tick born encephalitis. I would usually get all the jabs I need but I never expected Scandinavia to be 'dangerous' and this vaccine costs over £120.

NHS online suggests the vaccine for those travelling and camping but it also says no one in the UK has ever caught the disease.

What have others done? Who's been to Norway/Sweden/Finland and did you consider this?

[VikingOnTour]

Hi George,
Don't know where you got that info.....I'm from Denmark and have never heard about anyone haveing that sort of problems......I would say don't worry about it.......but there might be quite a few mozzies, so take care!

Cheers, Ib.

[Lonesome George]

The ever cautious NHS travel nurse told me.
Tick-borne encephalitis - Vaccination - NHS Choices

But I think they are being over careful and I won't bother. I WILL be taking lots of DEET and a mozzie net!

Cheers

[Pelle]

Here in Sweden, ticks are mostly common around Stockholm and the archipelago of Stockholm. Still, only 1 of 100 carries TBE, and there are no vaccination against the Borelia. Vaccination is good, but it is also good to get the knowledge, check legs and body regurly, learn how to remove the ticks safely, and so on. There are a lot of instructables on the net.

Cheers!

[donlucas]

Here's an overview about the worldwide incidence (red)... no reason to worry.






But keep in mind that it's much more likely to get a Lyme borreliosis from a tick (orange)...Also in Sweden...

[*Touring Ted*]

It's just more scare mongering by the government.

They don't want you spending your money overseas when they have big mansions that need your taxes to pay for...

Government only exists because of control... Fear is the key weapon to controlling people.

I know I sound like a raging tree hugging, tin foil hat wearing, right wing yogurt knitter; right now but think about it... ,

[MountainMan]

Originally Posted by donlucas

Here's an overview about the worldwide incidence (red)... no reason to worry.






But keep in mind that it's much more likely to get a Lyme borreliosis from a tick (orange)...Also in Sweden...

Good point re: Lyme disease, it's actually found in Canada as well so the maps need a bit of updating.

I was a bit skeptical of the actual risks of contracting the disease and have a general laizzez faire attitude about many of the low probability risks but there are a few cases here and there, including a friend of mine that contracted it in the interior of B.C. Needless to say the downsides are pretty signficant so you may want to factor that into your decision making when travelling to a specific region.

[Lonesome George]

Thanks for the info. We're in Norway now and still alive!

[brendanhall]

This is normally for czech & slovak republics. I have been advised by lots of locals that if you go walking in the forests it is a very good idea or wear wellington boots!

[Pongo]

Tic borne Lymes can be quite nasty quite quickly, and here in France in the spring and summer, it's recommended that you keep out of the woodland areas or at least tuck your trousers into your socks/ wear wellies or boots, a hat/cap and cover up round your neckline. A lot of people think that ticks only come from the ground up, but they do get onto leaves in trees and can fall on you if brushed against. Pulling a tick off can be dangerous, because you could leave the head behind. You need to twist them off with either the correct tic 'tool' ( easy to buy anywhere including pet stores) or a pair of tweezers. In France it's a visit straight to the ''Urgence'' for a dose of antibiotics. If you have been attacked and removed and not had anti b's and start to feel flu like symptoms or aching arms/legs, get medical help immediately.