2024-07-29 14:11:47
It was previously announced that 3 deaths from tick-borne encephalitis were recorded in Lithuania by the beginning of summer. Unfortunately, the National Public Health Center (NVSC) recorded 2 more deaths in June.
“One of them – in the city of Vilnius (the person belonged to the age group of 70-80 years) and one – in the Alytus district (the person belonged to the age group of 80-90 years)”, – NVSC stated lrytas.lt in the written response.
For comparison, in 2023, 2 people died from tick-borne encephalitis throughout the year.
Infections doubled
In June alone, 125 cases of the disease were recorded – twice as many as at the same time last year.
“If we look at the dynamics of the entire year, the highest morbidity is always recorded from June to October – almost 80 percent. of all cases. In June of this year, there were 125 people who got sick”, said Milda Žygutienė, head specialist of the Infectious Diseases Management Department of NVSC, to Eltai.
“We also have more deaths this year. Last year, there were only two of them, and in six months of this year, five of them were recorded. Naturally, when there are more illnesses, there are more deaths. Usually, these are unvaccinated, older people with many co-morbidities,” said M. Žygutienė.
According to her, 99 cases of tick-borne encephalitis were registered in Lithuania in the first half of last year, and 59 in June of that year. As noted by the medical entomologist, the increased number of cases is due to climate change.
“Obviously, this is the influence of climate change – the period of tick activity is longer, and the longer it is, the greater the distribution of morbidity throughout the year,” explained the specialist.
“There is no reason why tick-borne diseases should decrease. As you know, greenery is not decreasing in Lithuania, and there are enough animals, birds, and small rodents that feed on it,” she said.
According to M. Žygutinė, a large part of Lithuanian people is still not vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis.
“We have the highest morbidity in Europe. We should all be vaccinated. Although the number of people getting vaccinated is increasing, it is not as much as we would like,” the NVSC specialist emphasized.
When asked what are the reasons for citizens’ slow vaccination, M. Žygutienė notes that the financial situation can influence this.
“There are various reasons, but, for example, it is very difficult to vaccinate all members of a large family at the same time. However, on the other hand, that amount – approximately 100 euros per year for the first three vaccinations – is not so crazy that we could risk our health”, emphasized the entomologist.
“From September, people in the 50-55 age group will be able to get vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis free of charge. I really hope that people will take advantage of this opportunity,” she hoped.
NVSC reminds that vaccination is currently the most effective means of protection against tick-borne encephalitis. When vaccinating according to the usual schedule, the first two doses are given 1-3 months apart, then the third and booster doses vary depending on the vaccine manufacturer, but usually the third dose is given 5-12 months after the second.
The first booster dose is given 3 years after the third dose of tick-borne encephalitis. The most reliable and longest protection is guaranteed by 3 vaccination doses: about 99%. those vaccinated acquire resistance to tick-borne encephalitis for 3-5 years.
2024-07-29 14:11:47