Posted by Dr Michelle Wright
My name is Dr Michelle Wright. Welcome to my Health Matters podcast.
I’m a British-trained doctor and General Practitioner, living and working in Switzerland for over 20 years.
In each episode, I bring you clear, evidence-based health information, relevant to your life here.
It’s spring – although, with the weather we’ve been having lately, you might not think it. Perhaps you’ve noticed pharmacies promoting vaccinations against tick-borne encephalitis.
That’s because around now is considered the ideal time to get protected.
What are the main tick-borne diseases in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, there are two important tick-borne illnesses that can affect humans.
Lyme disease, caused by bacteria, can usually be treated effectively with antibiotics if caught early. The first symptom is often a red, circular rash that spreads outward from the tick bite. Sometimes accompanied by flu-like symptoms lasting several weeks. If left untreated, however, the disease can progress weeks, months, or even years later, affecting the joints, nervous system, skin, and heart. Even at this stage, prolonged courses of antibiotics may still be curative.
How serious is tick-borne encephalitis?
Tick-borne encephalitis, on the other hand, is a viral infection that affects the brain and nervous system. And unlike Lyme disease, there’s no specific treatment once symptoms begin.
The infection often begins with flu-like symptoms before spreading to the brain tissue and the meninges – the protective layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
If this happens, it can lead to high fever, headache, vomiting, reduced consciousness, and, sadly, death in around 1% of those infected. Treatment is supportive and may include hydration, pain relief, medication to reduce fever, and sometimes steroids to help manage inflammation in the brain.
Each year, around 300 cases of tick-borne encephalitis are reported in Switzerland. That may not sound like many, but when you consider that between 1 and 6% of ticks here carry the virus – and that a single bite is enough to transmit it – the risk is very real.
The good news is that we do have a highly effective vaccine against tick-borne encephalitis.
Previously, the Federal Office of Public Health recommended vaccination for everyone over the age of 6 living in or regularly visiting risk zones, which at the time excluded the cantons of Geneva and Ticino. But since 2024, that guidance has changed. Geneva is now considered a risk area, leaving Ticino as the only canton in Switzerland currently excluded.
Another important update is that, since 2024, the vaccine has also been recommended for children as young as 3 years old.
Why this change? Well, recent studies showed that younger children are just as vulnerable as older ones to both mild and severe symptoms.
The vaccine is given in three doses over several months, followed by booster shots roughly every ten years. It’s covered by compulsory health insurance in Switzerland, although deductibles and co-payments may still apply. And vaccination is available at many pharmacies, as well as through your GP or paediatrician.
How can you protect yourself from ticks?
But vaccines aren’t the only line of defence.
Ticks thrive in warm, humid conditions and tend to hide in tall grass, forests, and even city parks. So, if you’re heading outdoors into these areas, it’s sensible to wear long trousers, socks, and closed in shoes, and to apply tick repellent.
It’s also important to check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks after spending time outside. Pay particular attention to warm, moist areas. This includes behind the knees, under the arms, and around the scalp or ears because these are the places ticks most like to hide.
And if you do find a tick, remove it as quickly as possible because this reduces the chance of a tick passing on any infection to you. Many pharmacies now offer tick-removal services or sell specialised tools for safe removal. Afterwards, clean the bite area carefully and watch for signs of infection, such as redness or a rash. If in doubt, contact your doctor.
So, as we all head back outdoors and reconnect with nature – once this rain finally stops – let’s not forget the tiny hitchhikers that may be waiting out there.
Prevention, awareness, and vaccination remain your best tools for staying safe.
That’s it for this episode of Health Matters. If you found it useful, please like, share, and follow on Spotify – it helps others find reliable health information in English.
