According to the THL, tick related illnesses have so far this summer been less than a year ago. Incidences of Lyme disease, which is caused by the borrelia bacteria and tick-borne encephalitis have remained low since early summer’s hot and dry weather was not conducive to reproduction for the troublesome mites.
Last year the health authority had by this point recorded 200 more incidences of infection than this year. However, the THL expect that only around a tenth of cases go reported, as the disease does not always cause symptoms.
“The actual number of infections is calculable in the thousands,” says THL's special researcher Katri Jalava.
Not everyone needs vaccination
Borreliosis infections are treatable with antibiotics, but the best approach is to try to avoid getting bitten by a tick. There is also a vaccine that can protect against tick-borne encephalitis, but there have only been a handful of such cases this year. Residents of the Åland Islands can receive the vaccine free of charge, but for the most part, anyone living on the mainland has to pay for their own vaccinations if they choose to get them.
"If you know you’ll be moving through a tick-prone area, the vaccine should be considered," says Jalava. "This has to be done on your own assessment of how vulnerable you are to infection."
The "tick-vaccination" is given in three parts and is renewed every year. It gives immunity at the earliest only about three weeks after the first shot is given. The three vaccinations cost in total just over 100 euros.
The necessity of getting the vaccination does not depend on where you live, as concentrations of the mite may be very localized, says the University of Helsinki’s Professor of Veterinary Medicine Olli Vapalahti.
"For example, in Helsinki’s Isosaari area, tick-borne encephalitis could be present," he says. "This does not mean that all residents of Helsinki should be vaccinated."
August is likely to be the high season for tick infestations. Therefore, this summer the number of infections is likely to increase.
