[Tick-borne encephalitis--etiopathogenesis and implications for public health in Poland]

Tick-borne encephalitis (tbe) belongs to infectious units being under study in Poland since over 40 years: clinical, virological, immunological, epidemiological (see eg. fig. 1 of the review) observations succeeded in developing tbe map of Poland, and organization of satisfactory diagnostic virological control of the disease. This article covers most important data since the early (1952-1953) expeditions to the endemic districts of Poland, studies of human beings, animal reservoir, both wild and domestic animals, biological vectors, migrating and local birds, frequency of virus isolations from man, ticks, mosquitos, wild rodents, with special reference to specific (vaccines, immunoglobulins) prophylaxis and associated unexpected and negative reactions. The article points also on north-east districts as of high tbe exposure, on described milk-associated outbreaks. The problems are discussed in relation with analogical and/or probable reactions related with other viral infections. Because of so meritorically differentiated and long-time performed studies and observations, the tbe is still in center of medical and public interest in Poland.