More cases of TBE are reported

"the Increase in TBE cases in Sweden in recent years. And the infection is spreading westward. It shows Folkhälsomyndighetens statistics, russia's Radio Echo."

"In 2018, reported 385 cases of people who fell ill in TBE near enough identical figures 2017 (391 cases), but much more than the 238 reported on in 2016."

"There has been a steadily rising trend if you look since the mid-1980s that it is reported more and more cases," says Marika Hjertqvist, an epidemiologist at the Folkhälsomyndigheten, to the Echo."

"a virus disease TBE is spread by ticks, which are increasingly spread out over larger areas in Sweden. Many cases of TBE are reported from the east coast, in particular the Stockholm area, but also the previously relatively closed areas are affected, which can be partly explained by climate change."

"– for several years now we have seen a spread to the west, in Västra Götaland, Västmanland, Örebro län and also in Värmland, " says Marika Hjertqvist."

"– Climate change is making it longer seasons that ticks can be active, and people are outside more in nature then also and encounter ticks that carry the virus."

"Folkhälsomyndigheten is now working to produce a new map of areas at risk in Sweden."

"If you tend to be in areas of risk where you know that there is a TBE, and you know you wont get ticks – then it's reasonable that you go and vaccinate," says Marika Hjertqvist."

"TBE, or tick-borne encephalitis, caused by a virus that belongs to the group flavi. Host is primarily the rodents."

"Man infected by the bite of ticks."

"It can manifest itself as hjärnhinne and encephalitis with high fever, severe headache, nackstelhet and förlamningssymptom. Most people who contract the disease will be completely restored, but about one-third receive lengthy or permanent problems, including pronounced fatigue, and memory disorders. Deaths are very rare."

"Source: Folkhälsomyndigheten"