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Tick-borne encephalitis virus foci in Slovakia
Milan Labuda1, Elena Elecková, Martina Licková
1Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia. uzaelabu@savba.sk
International Journal of Medical Microbiology : IJMM
|July 27, 2002
Summary
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is endemic in Slovakia, primarily in western, southern, and eastern regions. Long-term monitoring shows stable TBE virus foci, with annual hospitalizations ranging from 20 to nearly 100 cases, including some from raw milk consumption.
Area of Science:
- Arbovirology
- Epidemiology
- Veterinary Public Health
Background:
- Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus is an arbovirus dependent on ticks and vertebrates for its life cycle.
- Vertebrates amplify TBE virus, serving as a source for infected feeding ticks.
- Understanding host-vector dynamics is crucial for TBE epidemiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify endemic areas of TBE virus in Slovakia.
- To assess changes in the size and location of TBE virus foci over time.
- To analyze the incidence of TBE hospitalizations and transmission routes.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal monitoring of TBE virus in tick and vertebrate host populations.
- Analysis of 40 years of epidemiological data on TBE cases in Slovakia.
- Identification of geographical distribution of TBE virus foci.
Main Results:
- TBE virus is endemic in western, southern, and eastern Slovakia.
- Natural TBE foci have remained geographically stable over the last decades.
- Annual hospitalizations for TBE range from under 20 to nearly 100 cases, with a notable proportion (33 in 5 years) due to raw milk consumption.
Conclusions:
- Slovakia has established and stable endemic areas for TBE virus.
- Tick and vertebrate hosts maintain persistent TBE virus circulation.
- Public health awareness regarding TBE transmission, including via dairy products, is important.