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Ticks
There has been an increase in tick-borne diseases in Switzerland in recent years and these could have serious consequences. The risks can, however, be reduced by taking simple precautions.There are more than 800 varieties of ticks throughout the world. The most common variety in Switzerland is the sheep tick, which is prevalent in broad-leaved forests with thick undergrowth, along paths and on the edges of woods. They settle in low-lying vegetation but do not fall from trees.
These sheep ticks transmit over 50 different diseases worldwide. In Europe these are borreliosis (Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis TBE) and early summer meningo-encephalitis (ESME – inflammation of the brain and meningitis). Depending on the woods, between 5 to 50 per cent of ticks are infected with the Lyme borreliosis pathogen and around 0.5 to 3 per cent by the meningo-encephalitis virus. The risk of getting a tick bite is particularly high in spring and autumn.
These sheep ticks transmit over 50 different diseases worldwide. In Europe these are borreliosis (Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis TBE) and early summer meningo-encephalitis (ESME – inflammation of the brain and meningitis). Depending on the woods, between 5 to 50 per cent of ticks are infected with the Lyme borreliosis pathogen and around 0.5 to 3 per cent by the meningo-encephalitis virus. The risk of getting a tick bite is particularly high in spring and autumn.
Affected zones in Switzerland
ESME-infested areas include the cantons of ZH, TG, SH, SG, GR, AG, LU, BE, SO, BL, NW, OW, UR, ZG, FR, VD et FL. ESME-free areas include regions above 1000 m.
As regards borreliosis (Lyme disease and TBE), however, all tick-infested zones carry a risk.
As regards borreliosis (Lyme disease and TBE), however, all tick-infested zones carry a risk.
© CDC USA
How to remove a tick
There is an ESME vaccination that the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) recommends for all people living or spending time in high-risk areas. In the zones where there is a risk, compulsory health insurance will pay for the vaccine. In cases where it is recommended on professional grounds (lumberjacks, forestry workers and farmers) it is the employers who are responsible for paying for the vaccination. There is no vaccination for borreliosis (Lyme disease and TBE), which is far more widespread than ESME, but it can usually be treated with antibiotics.
Generally, you can guard against tick bites by wearing protective clothing, avoiding undergrowth and using insect repellents. After having been in a tick-infested area, you should conduct a head to toe examination of your body and check your clothing for ticks.
If you find an attached tick, remove it as quickly as possible with tweezers. Take care not to crush the tick’s body during removal as this could cause the insect to inject contaminated fluid into the human host. Avoid twisting the tick, using oil or trying other ways of removing it. If you are not sure what to do, call your doctor.
Generally, you can guard against tick bites by wearing protective clothing, avoiding undergrowth and using insect repellents. After having been in a tick-infested area, you should conduct a head to toe examination of your body and check your clothing for ticks.
If you find an attached tick, remove it as quickly as possible with tweezers. Take care not to crush the tick’s body during removal as this could cause the insect to inject contaminated fluid into the human host. Avoid twisting the tick, using oil or trying other ways of removing it. If you are not sure what to do, call your doctor.
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Last updated:15.04.2010
