Tick-borne encephalitis increasing in Sweden, 2011

Abstract

Until August, 161 cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) were recorded in Sweden for 2011, leading to an incidence of 1.7 per 100,000 population. Fifty to 59 year-olds (24%) were most affected, 55% of the cases were males. An increase in TBE in Sweden has occurred in the last decade and might be explained by enlarged tick populations, more contact between TBE virus infected ticks and man, and also by growing awareness of the disease. Climatic conditions may have contributed to the increase.