Beware of ticks!
21.06.2025 08:05:00 19442
Tick-borne encephalitis is an acute viral pathology transmitted by the bite of Ixodes ticks. The natural reservoir of the virus and its source are warm-blooded wild and domestic animals. Ticks are infected by animals that carry the virus and spread to other animals and people.
Tick-borne encephalitis infection has seasonal characteristics, the parasite is more likely to bite from May to June and in the beginning of autumn.
The natural foci of tick-borne encephalitis in the Republic of Kazakhstan are Almaty, East Kazakhstan, Akmola, North Kazakhstan regions and the city of Almaty.
In the spring of 2025, the seasonal activity of ticks in Kostanay region will exceed the established calendar norm. started earlier - in April. This situation is associated with early warming of the weather, and this, in turn, was favorable conditions for the development of ticks. According to statistics, this year in the region, compared to last year, there was an increase (3.7 times) in cases of applying to medical organizations for the problem of parasite bites.
The incubation period of tick-borne encephalitis is on average 1-35 days.
The main manifestations of the damage are weakness, headache and severity, fever up to 39 degrees, nausea and vomiting, joint and muscle diseases, coordination problems. In the patient, the disease can lead to circulatory disorders, epilepsy and even death.
The main ways of tick-borne encephalitis virus entering the human body:
- transmissible, which means a tick bite or blood sucking. The longer the pathogen is exposed to the human skin, the higher the risk of infection;
- fecal-oral, in which the patient uses unboiled milk or dairy products made from contaminated milk;
- rare cases during blood transfusion, organ transplantation.
In adults, tick-borne encephalitis is diagnosed more often in men, whose infection is more severe than in women.
Dynamic monitoring of people affected by tick bites The medical organization at the place of residence conducts regular thermometry within 21 days of the calendar day.
Vaccination against the disease is a reliable protection against pathology. Immunization against tick-borne encephalitis is carried out by medical organizations. People whose activities are related to the presence of tick-borne encephalitis in natural foci are subject to preventive immunization: geologists, foresters, signalers, border guards, etc. Vaccination can be carried out according to a planned and urgent scheme.
The main measures for the prevention of tick-borne encephalitis:
- limit visits to green areas during the period of parasite activity;
- safe, closed clothes and shoes, preferably light colors;
- use of repellents-anti-tick means according to the instructions;
- carefully check the body and clothes for dangerous creatures when returning home;
- if a tick is found on the skin, seek immediate medical attention or, if treatment is not possible, use self-removal measures. In the future, you should go to the doctor and submit the tick to the laboratory.
If the virus of tick-borne encephalitis is detected in the tick, the victim is instructed to administer ready-made antibodies (immunoglobulin) against the disease according to the instructions attached to the drug by the manufacturer.