The epidemiology of infectious diseases in Europe in 2020 versus 2017–2019 and the rise of tick-borne encephalitis (1995–2020)

Abstract

Health control measures instituted in 2020 to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic decreased the case numbers of many infectious diseases across Europe. One notable exception was tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). In Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic, the upturn was significantly higher compared to the average of the three years previously (P<0.05), with increases of 88%, 48%, 51%, 28%, and 18%, respectively. Six countries reported TBE incidences of ≥5 cases/100,000, defined as highly endemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Possible factors contributing to this surge may include increased participation in outdoor activities in endemic regions and increased tick counts/tick activity. In highly endemic regions, the WHO recommends that vaccination be offered to all age groups, including children.