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[Tick-borne encephalitis in Norway]
Tone Skarpaas1, Anders Sundøy, Anne-Lise Bruu
1Mikrobiologisk avdeling, Vest-Agder Sentralsykehus 4604 Kristiansand.
Summary
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is confirmed in Norway, with cases linked to Tromøy island. Seroprevalence studies reveal a higher incidence of TBE antibodies on Tromøy compared to surrounding areas.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The first reported cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Norway occurred in 1998 and 1999, with both patients having visited Tromøy island.
- Intensified surveillance for TBE antibodies in encephalitis patients and a seroprevalence study were initiated following these cases.
Observation:
- Three cases of TBE were identified, including two with encephalitis in late 2000 and one retrospectively diagnosed case from August 1997.
- Serological testing of individuals from Tromøy between 1997 and 2000 detected TBE virus IgG antibodies in 2.4% of samples.
Findings:
- The study identified the first cases of TBE in Norway, with a significant proportion of early cases linked to exposure on Tromøy island.
- Seroprevalence data suggests a potentially higher incidence of TBE on Tromøy compared to other southern Norwegian counties, with 2.4% of residents showing IgG antibodies.
Implications:
- These findings confirm the presence of TBE in coastal southern Norway and highlight Tromøy as a potential endemic area.
- The results underscore the importance of TBE surveillance and public awareness in affected regions of Norway.