Infections are transmitted by tick bites or by consumption of unpasteurized dairy products from cows, sheep, or goats. There is no specific drug to treat Tick-borne Encephalitis. A vaccine is available. The risk to travelers who do not visit or work in forested areas and who avoid unpasteurized dairy products is apparently low. Tickborne Encephalitis occurs chiefly in Central and Western Europe including the countries from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia.
Transmission occurs in the summer months.
Travelers are at risk if their plans include hiking, camping, or working in or around forested regions. The chance that a traveler to Western Europe will develop Tickborne Encephalitis is very small. Inactivated vaccines are produced in Austria and Germany but are not available in the United States. They can be obtained in Europe. Travelers who remain unimmunized should protect themselves from ticks and check for ticks daily.