Tick Borne Encephalitis
 

As I read through other threads, I've noticed that many people are getting a Vaccine for TBE before heading into Central Asia, Mongolia, and Russia , not to mention parts of Europe. We're heading out that way in about a month, planning to do a fair amount of camping on the way.

Here, in the US, the travel clinics don't even mention it- the vaccine apparently cannot be found anywhere in the States.

Did you get these shots? Is it possible for me to get them when I arrive in Germany? What are your opinions on this? Should I bother? Anybody know why it's not offered in the States?

Any and all thoughts would be helpful.

..................shu

Its generally advised for folk who are going to be camping, hill walking ect or spending time in rural areas. Surprised you cant get it in the states, as its standard for alot of US oil company employees working in those areas.
As for getting it over here in the EU it shouldnt be a problem but beware its done over a few months.

Your first line of defence is your tent. make sure it is as far as possible insect proof. I usually pitch mine then install bed and bag and spray with insect killer and leave it zipped tight. By bedtime the air is quite breathable.

Note also to pitch your tent in a place they do not favour. Which is short or no grass or weeds. I use a cheap dome tent that does not need pegs to erect. and a camp bed that keeps me off the floor. It is surprising how often you can find a short bit of abandoned road near to motorways and major junctions that still have bits of tarmac on which to pitch. Make sure the tent bottom is protected from the beds legs or it might get perforated.
Often these bits are behind low earth banks to deter cars and are hidden by trees. Once you have seen a couple and have "got your eye" for them they crop up all over the place.

I was surprised the vaccine wasn't available here as well. I have no idea why that is.

So, if you took precautions to avoid ticks- DEET, keeping the tent closed up, checking for ticks daily- do you think that's good enough protection from TBE?

Calls for personal judgement, I know- but what do people think?

..............shu

I was not advocating a tent in place of the vaccine. Just as a "first" line of defence. same with mozzies. You will tend to sleep better in an insect free environment.

I suggest you read through this thread - http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...n-europe-10988

Being 'married' to a Russian Doctor I had the advantage of local information on a 'trade' basis!

From memory the thread had quite a bit of information about ticks in general, where they occur, how to remove them etc., but much of this was not specific to the TBE carrying tick.

The basic facts are that TBE can only be transmitted to Humans when four circumstances prevail -
- they must be a specific variety of tick
- the tick must also be infected
- it must also be within a limited season
- it must also be in an endemic area

Although annoying, painful or embarassing, other ticks (even 'clean' ticks of the variety) in other places are not a TBE threat.

Innoculation is cheap and easy. SHE did it at home for free! Two painless injections in an upper arm about a month apart cost about 1,000Rouble ($30 or GBP 20) each in Moscow. Wait a further two weeks before exposure. This gives a years protection.

Thanks, Tony P. I missed that thread somehow.

Since I can't get the vaccine in the US, I would have to wait until I fly into Germany to get my first shot. Can a traveler just walk into a clinic in Germany and get a shot? Anyone know how much they might cost there? I had heard this was an expensive series, but maybe not.

Then I'll be right into the German woods (in the endemic areas for the disease) camping. I guess my first shot won't help much there and I'll just have to be aware of ticks.

A couple of months later, we plan on being back in areas of risk- Mongolia and Russia. Does it sound feasible to buy the second dose while I'm in Germany and carry it with me into Turkey and find a clinic to administer it? Then I should be covered for the Eastern part of the trip.

Thanks to anyone with advice..............shu




(What I'm really wondering about now is..... what does it mean to be 'married' (with quote marks)? :innocent:

tick borne encephalitis
 

touring NORTHERN Fance in 2006 felt tick on throat,brushed it off,haft asleep,few days later very very tired all the time,got home to the UK felt drunk,hospital, brain lession,ADEM,part of encephalitis(immume system collapses)then kicks in so hard it trys to kill you,(lession is your nerve coating comming off)long recovery,learn to do everything again,cali stored,xf650 brought as lighter,life now life good 95% recoverd, wonder if jab would have saved me?tick might not have caused it, but be aware.

We got a nasty surprise with Ticks in our tent in Sardnia, not a pleasant experience!

Many sleepness nights of tick paranoia after ensued after that!