As global temperatures rise and landscapes change, tick-borne diseases are becoming more common in regions where they were previously rare.
It has become warmer and wetter, and more areas are becoming overgrown. This creates better conditions for ticks.
If you're planning to travel abroad this summer, it's a good idea to research the tick situation at your destination, according to a tick expert.
Facts about TBE and Lyme disease
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) can cause brain inflammation and, in rare cases, develop into a very serious condition.
There is no cure for TBE, but it is possible to get vaccinated.
Lyme disease is another common tick-borne illness. It typically causes a distinctive expanding red rash.
This form of Lyme disease is usually treatable with antibiotics.
A more serious type, neuroborreliosis, occurs when the bacteria attack the nervous system.
TBE: A growing public health concern
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) has long been a major public health issue in Eastern and Central Europe, particularly in countries like Lithuania, Latvia, the Czech Republic, and Germany, according to the Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Tick-borne Diseases.
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Austria has vaccinated large parts of its population against the disease.
In recent years, TBE cases have been on the rise in Scandinavia and have started appearing in new regions, including the Netherlands, the UK, and mountainous areas in the Alps.
Globally, between 10,000 and 15,000 cases are reported each year, the advisory unit reports.
"Where there's vegetation, there may be ticks"
"Ticks are found in all European countries, though their numbers vary from place to place," says Yvonne Kerlefsen.
She is a biologist and adviser at the Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Tick-borne Diseases.
In some areas, the density is high, while in others, there are hardly any ticks.
"A good rule of thumb is: Where there's vegetation, there may be ticks. This applies to forests, open meadows, agricultural land, and even parks and gardens – also in urban areas," says Kerlefsen.
Different countries have different species
In Norway, there are currently nine known tick species established in the wild. The most common and widespread is the castor bean tick (Ixodes ricinus), which is also found throughout much of Europe.
"Other countries, however, have different tick species than the ones we have here in Norway – including some that can transmit diseases not naturally found here," says Kerlefsen.
Yvonne Kerlefsen is a biologist and adviser at the Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Tick-borne Diseases at Sørlandet Hospital.(Photo: Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Tick-borne Diseases)
One example is Mediterranean spotted fever, which is caused by a bacterium and transmitted by certain tick species in Southern Europe.
"In general, the further south you travel in Europe, the greater the variety of tick species. Some of these can carry viruses, bacteria, or parasites that don't exist in Norwegian nature," she says.
Travel tips to keep you safe
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Still, you should not let ticks stop you from enjoying the outdoors, says Kerlefsen.
However, a few simple precautions can help you stay safe:
Check local health and travel advice for the areas you plan to visit. In some countries, it may be appropriate to get the TBE vaccine.
Use insect repellent (mosquito and tick spray) when spending time in nature.
Do a tick check every evening, especially if you've been in tall grass or dense vegetation.
If you're bitten while abroad, it might be a good idea to save the tick so it can be identified later. This may help in diagnosing or managing any potential illness.
Ticks easily attach to dogs and cats. Here, a dog owner uses tweezers to remove a tick from the dog's ear.(Photo: Shutterstock / NTB)
Travelling with your dog
"If you're bringing your dog on holiday, it's especially important to protect them from ticks," says Kerlefsen.
She advises using a tick prevention product that’s been proven effective and is specifically designed for dogs. Many reliable options are available over the counter at pharmacies.
"In Southern and Eastern Europe, there are tick-borne diseases that can be dangerous for dogs, like babesiosis. Some tick species, like the brown dog tick, can even hitch a ride back home and reproduce indoors," says Kerlefsen, adding:
"This is rare, but there have been isolated cases reported in Norway."
Tick-borne diseases in Norway
In 2023, 113 cases of the TBE virus were registered in Norway.
Around 7,000 Norwegians contract the most common form of Lyme disease annually.
