Tick Bite Prevention Week: Addressing An Evolving Threat
By Melvin Sanicas, Global Medical Lead, Bavarian Nordic Berna GmbH
Tick Bite Prevention Week is a good reminder that the story of ticks has become more complicated, and that is exactly why prevention matters.
Introduction: A complex picture
Ticks are no longer just associated with a single illness or a single type of risk. Today, the public health picture is more layered than many people realise, with ticks carrying multiple pathogens, spreading disease into new areas, and raising questions about emerging viruses that are still being studied. These changes are becoming visible in several important ways.
The Co-infection Problem
One of the clearest examples is the growing evidence that ticks can carry more than one disease at the same time. Recent research from North-Eastern United States found that a meaningful share of blacklegged ticks were infected with multiple pathogens, including the organisms linked to Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis. A single tick bite may expose someone to more than one infection, making symptoms harder to interpret and diagnosis more complex, especially when different infections require different therapies.
Changing TBE epidemiology
At the same time, the geography of tick-borne encephalitis, or TBE, is shifting in Europe. Germany recently added new districts to its list of official TBE risk areas, reflecting changes in where the virus is being detected. For people living in or traveling through Central Europe, this is an important reminder that tick risk is not static and that areas once considered lower risk may deserve more attention today.
Novel virus strains
There is also increasing interest in newer and lesser-known tick-borne viruses. One example is Alongshan virus, which has been detected in ticks in Switzerland. Researchers are still working to understand what it may mean for human health, but its discovery is a reminder that tick-borne disease is still an evolving field. We are not only dealing with familiar threats but also learning about pathogens that were barely on the radar a few years ago.
Conclusion: The Importance of Vaccination
It is also important to remember that some tick-borne diseases do have vaccines. TBE is one of them, and vaccination can play an important preventive role for people at risk of exposure. At the same time, many other tick-borne illnesses still do not have approved vaccines, which makes bite prevention especially important.
The good news is that prevention remains practical and effective. Wearing long sleeves and long trousers, using tick repellent, staying on clear paths, and checking the body carefully after spending time outdoors can all reduce the risk of infection. Prompt tick removal also matters. Tick Bite Prevention Week is not about fear, but about staying one step ahead. As tick-borne risks become more complex, awareness and simple preventive habits remain our most effective tools.
References
- Ecological Society of America. Ticks carrying more than one pathogen are on the rise in US Northeast. Published March 12, 2026. Accessed March 19, 2026.
- Robert Koch Institute. FSME-Risikogebiete in Deutschland (Stand: Januar 2026). Epidemiologisches Bulletin. 2026;9. Published February 26, 2026. Accessed March 19, 2026.
- Rasi C. New tick virus in Switzerland. University of Zurich Center for Travel Medicine. Published March 30, 2023. Accessed March 19, 2026.
- Sanicas M. Tick-borne disease vaccines: What clinicians should know in 2026. Infectious Diseases Society of America Science Speaks Blog. Updated January 5, 2026. Accessed March 19, 2026.