This is the number of people who had a TBE infection last year in the county

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More and more Swedes are getting tick-borne TBE infections. But in Kalmar County there are still only a few cases of the disease each year. “We recommend that everyone who moves into risk areas, old and new, get vaccinated,” says Jenny Grimstege, chief of personal injury at If.

The number of cases of tick-borne infection is increasing year by year. What is driving the increase is above all that ticks are spreading over an ever-widening geographical area.

But Kalmar County is still relatively untouched. Last year, five cases of tuberculosis were reported in the county.

Two of the twelve municipalities

Ten years ago, tick problems were almost completely isolated from the Mälardal region. Three out of four cases of TBE have been registered in Södermland and Uppland. Today, the rest of the country accounts for more than half of all tuberculosis infections. In 2022, the infection was reported in eleven municipalities in the country that had no cases before.

Over the past year, cases of TBE have been reported in two of the twelve municipalities in Kalmar County. Most of the cases have been registered in Kalmar and Västervik municipalities, but there have never been more than two infected cases in any municipality. What is meant is the place where the person was infected.

TBE cases are increasing

The number of cases varies somewhat from year to year, but the Public Health Agency estimates that the incidence of TBE is increasing by about five percent annually. This corresponds to a doubling every fifteen years.

“The best thing, of course, is to prevent tick-borne illnesses, but it can be nice to know that Lyme infection and TBE as a result of tick bites can be covered by personal insurance if you have it,” says Jenny Grimsteig, chief of personal injury at IF.

In the event of a tick bite – keep this in mind:

• Remove ticks as soon as possible to reduce the risk of contracting Lyme disease. If a tick carries TBE, it is transmitted directly when it bites. If you live in dangerous areas, you should get vaccinated, and this applies to young children as well.
• Remove the tick with tweezers, a tick remover, or your fingernails. Be careful not to press on the back of the tick. Pull straight out without twisting.
• Wash the wound with soap and water or an antiseptic.
• Contact the health center if redness occurs after a week or after the bite, and it is more than five centimeters in diameter. It could be a sign of a Lyme infection.
• Contact a health care center if you have a fever, headache, unusual tiredness, muscle aches, or have been suffering for some time after a tick bite. It often takes one to four weeks for symptoms to appear.
• Dark clothing attracts fewer ticks. However, ticks may be easier to spot on light-colored clothing. Protect yourself by wearing dark, covering clothing. It can be, for example, a long-sleeved T-shirt, long pants and socks. Wear shoes that completely cover your feet, preferably boots.

Photo: Freepik