Overview
- The Robert Koch Institute now lists the districts of Celle and Emsland in Lower Saxony as Germany’s northernmost areas at risk for tick‑borne encephalitis.
- Researchers say the meadow tick is gaining a foothold in northern states and thrives in sunny meadows and dry fallow land, posing low risk to people but a life‑threatening illness for dogs.
- Experts cite milder weather, shifting wildlife ranges, and more travel with dogs, which are preferred hosts, as key drivers of the northward spread.
- Germany’s vaccine panel STIKO advises FSME shots for people in risk zones, and Bavaria urges immunization as it logged 5,522 Lyme cases last year compared with 4,057 the year before and recorded 282 FSME cases.
- Health agencies recommend long, light clothing, full‑body checks after time in grass, and prompt tick removal, and Nabu is asking the public to send tick photos as a reminder that FSME viruses pass with the bite while Borrelia bacteria usually need hours.