The infection with early summer meningo-enephalitis is being transmitted by sign increasingly an “infection of the entire year”. The number of people who had to be treated with TBE in the hospital rose again the previous year.
In 2023 there were still 104, in 2024 158 in the hospital, the Austrian association of vaccine manufacturers will draw attention. According to the virus pidemiological information (VEI) of the Center for Virology of the Meduni Vienna, there were considerably more hospital treatments in the Pandemie -years 2020 and 2022 (see image below).
Last year, according to the Association of Vaccination Manufacturers, there were again many potentially avoidable, serious cases, especially for people for more than 50 years. In contrast to the assumption of many that children do not have difficult courses – some children are so seriously ill that they had to be admitted to the hospital. “All in all a moderate balance that could probably have been better,” the association summarizes and relies the population of vaccinated.
“It is difficult to estimate how high the number of infections is real”, Rainer Gattringer, medical director and primarily at the Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology in the Wels-Grieskirchen Clinic. “There are probably many more diseases than believe these figures. Fortunately they run more glimpse and are usually not recognized as such. For those affected, they often feel more like flu, “said Gattringer.
“Seasonal never on the safe side”
Just like in previous years, Upper Austria is again the leadership of the cases. With 49 hospital patients, the state leads the ranking for Styria with 22 and Salzburg with 19 cases. Most diseases were available in the warm summer months as before. However, it was unusual that the highlight of the diseases took place in June with 48 cases. The first illness was registered in March, the last in December. “So TBE is increasingly developed into a year -round disease,” emphasized Gattringer. “So you are practically never on the safe side. Incidentally, this also applies to the place where you are. The whole of Austria is considered an endemic area, the hotspots are constantly changing.
More than half of the documented patients (53 percent) are seriously poor with dangerous consequences such as opinions or spinal cord inflammation. “In the worst case, damage remains forever,” warns expert Gattringer. After all: in 2024 – as in 2023 – there was no dead.
Vaccination protects
The vaccination can prevent severe diseases. The basic immunization includes three partial vaccinations, the first must be done best in the winter. Refreshing: after three years, then all five-year-olds for more than 60-year-olds who have to vaccinate every three years.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
