Tick-Borne Diseases in Germany: What to Know

Tick-Borne Diseases in Germany

Ah, Germany in the warmer months — forests deep and green, meadows humming with life, and a welcome sun drawing us outdoors. But lurking in the undergrowth and grassy paths is a small but serious threat: the tick.

These little bloodsuckers aren’t just an itchy nuisance. In Germany, they can carry diseases that pack a real punch. If you’re spending time in nature — hiking, gardening, picnicking, or simply enjoying your backyard — it’s vital to know what to look out for and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Lyme Disease (Borreliose)

Borrelia bacteria transmitted by the Ixodes ricinus tick (commonly called the wood tick).

Symptoms - Early Stage

Look out for a circular red rash that expands around the bite (often called a bullseye rash). It can expand over days and reach up to 30 cm.
Flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, fever, chills, headache, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes

Symptoms - Days of weeks after bite

Multiple rashes can appear on other parts of the body
Neurological symptoms such as Facial palsy, numbness in hands or feet and meningitis can develop if untreated.
Lyme carditis with irregular heartbeats, chest pains and shortness of breath

Symptoms - Later Stage

Chronic joint pain
Nerve pain
Neurological problems

Treatment

Early treatment with antibiotics is usually very effective, but the longer Lyme disease goes untreated, the harder it can be to recover fully.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis

TBE / FSME - Frühsommer-Meningoenzephalitis is caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system.

Symptoms - 7 to 14 days after bite

Flu-Like Symptoms (Incubation: 7–14 days after tick bite)

Fever
Fatigue
Headache
Muscle aches
Nausea
Loss of appetite

These symptoms usually last a few days and may completely go away, but don’t be fooled. For about 1 in 3 people, a second, more dangerous phase follows.

Symptoms - around a week after first phase clears

High fever returns
Severe headache
Stiff neck
Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Drowsiness or confusion
Nausea and vomiting
Seizures (rare)
Balance and coordination problems
Paralysis (in rare but serious cases)

In children, symptoms can be milder, but in adults — particularly over 50 — the risk of long-term effects is higher.

Possible long-term effects

Chronic headaches
Concentration or memory problems
Hearing loss
Muscle weakness or paralysis
Permanent neurological damage (rare but possible)

Treatment

There is no cure for TBE once it develops — only supportive care.
Hospitalisation is often required in the second phase.
Vaccination is the best protection, especially if you live in or visit risk areas.

Risk Areas

While ticks live nearly everywhere, southern Germany (especially Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg) and parts of Hesse, Thuringia, and Rhineland-Palatinate are officially classified as TBE risk zones.
But let’s be real — ticks don’t respect borders, and Lyme disease can happen just about anywhere there’s grass and wildlife.

When to see a Doctor

If you’ve had a tick bite and start feeling unwell — especially if you experience flu-like symptoms followed by any neurological signs such as a high fever, stiff neck, confusion, or headache — it’s important to take your health seriously and consult a medical professional.

⚠️ Note: This is not medical advice.
This information is shared for general awareness only. Please take responsibility for your own health and well-being — when in doubt, always speak to a qualified doctor or healthcare provider. Your health decisions are yours to make, and seeking proper care early on can make all the difference.

TBE/FSME Vaccine

If you’re spending time outdoors in Germany, especially in high-risk areas, you’ve probably heard about the FSME-Impfung — that’s the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccine in German.
The tick-borne encephalitis vaccine protects against TBE, a viral infection of the brain and nervous system transmitted by tick bites. It’s most common in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as parts of Northern Asia.
It is important to note that it is a preventative vaccine and is not useful as a treatment after infection.

Here’s the typical schedule for full immunity:

1st dose
2nd dose: 1 to 3 months later
3rd dose: 5 to 12 months after the second

After that, booster doses every 3 to 5 years are recommended to maintain immunity. A 2006 study found that FSME-Immun/Ticovac and Encepur vaccines can be used interchangeably for booster shots, but it’s best to stick with one brand during the initial series.

You can read more on the medical use and official data here:
👉 Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine – WHO

Prevention Tips

🌱 Before You Go Outdoors:
✅ Wear long sleeves and pants (tuck pants into socks — yes, it’s a look!) Wear light-colored clothing (to easily spot ticks).
✅ Use insect repellent with DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535 or apply lemon eucalyptus oil to skin and clothing.
✅ Stick to trails — avoid tall grass and bushy undergrowth
✅ If you’re in a risk area, consider the FSME vaccine

🌞 While You’re Out:
✅ Wear light-colored clothing (makes ticks easier to spot)
✅ Take breaks on rocks/logs — not directly on the grass
✅ Check pets after walks — they can bring ticks inside too

🏠 When You Get Home:
✅ Do a full-body tick check (don’t forget armpits, knees, hairline, belly button)
✅ Shower soon after being outside — helps wash off ticks
✅ Put clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes
✅ If you find a tick, remove it slowly and completely with fine-tipped tweezers

Tick-proof your garden: Keep grass short, remove leaf litter, and create gravel or woodchip barriers between lawns and wooded areas.

Peak Season: Ticks in Germany are most active between March and October, but peak season is typically from May to September. They become sluggish in cold weather, but mild winters can extend the season. And because of climate change, some years have seen activity as early as February and lasting into November.

What to Do If You Find a Tick

Remove it quickly: Use fine-tipped tweezers or a special tick removal tool. Grasp close to the skin and pull steadily upward — don’t twist.
Disinfect the area: Clean with alcohol or antiseptic.
Watch for symptoms: Note the date and location of the bite. If symptoms arise, especially a rash or flu-like signs, see a doctor and mention the tick bite.
Don’t panic: Not all ticks carry disease. Fast removal reduces your risk significantly.

Tick Prevention for Pets

🦴 Use vet-recommended tick protection
From collars and spot-on drops to tasty chewables — ask your Tierarzt what’s best for your pet’s lifestyle.

🔍 Check pets after every walk or outdoor play
Focus on:

🐕 Ears
🐾 Between toes
🧣 Under the collar/harness
🐕‍🦺 Armpits and tail base

🪮 Brush and feel their coat regularly
Even short-haired pets can carry tiny hitchhikers.

🐈 Don’t forget the cat!
Outdoor kitties are silent tick smugglers — especially if they nap on your bed.

🌿 Tidy up the garden
Short grass, trimmed bushes, and fewer shady spots = less tick habitat.

🚨 Know the signs of illness
If your pet acts unusually tired, limps, or has a fever after a tick bite, see the vet. Dogs can get Lyme disease, and while FSME is rare in pets, tick bites still matter.

Information on the internet

Zecken.de – German site about the dangers of ticks, risk areas and prevention of TBE/FSME
Gesund Bund – TBE

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