Overview
- The Lower Saxony State Health Office, which warned Tuesday, said the tick-borne FSME virus is established in the state with locally acquired infections.
- Officials report that overall case numbers remain low but are edging higher, with single cases seen in Gifhorn, Osnabrück, Cuxhaven and Ammerland.
- Ticks are common in daily settings, with many exposures linked to parks and home gardens rather than deep forest.
- Health leaders urge long sleeves, prompt tick checks, and FSME vaccination with regular boosters because coverage remains too low.
- When a case is identified, investigators review recent travel and collect local ticks for lab testing to verify regional transmission.