In Switzerland, ticks transmit three main diseases:
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria. It is the most common tick-borne disease in Switzerland. A common sign of Lyme disease is the symptom of expanding rash that can appear 1 to 30 days after a tick bite. A common symptom of Lyme disease is "erythema migrans", which is a reddening of the skin that can occur between 1 and 30 days after the bite and near the bite.Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, but cannot be prevented by vaccination.
Meningitis is also known by the abbreviation TBE, which stands for tick-borne encephalitis. TBE is an inflammation of the brain and its lining. If a tick transmits the virus, it can lead to serious disease. TBE cannot be treated with antibiotics, but it can be prevented by vaccination.
Tularaemia (rabbit fever) is a bacterial infection. In Switzerland, about half of the cases are caused by tick bites. Although still rather rare, the number of tularaemia cases has increased in recent years. The signs and symptoms are varied and are reminiscent of flu or skin ulcers. Tularaemia can be treated with antibiotics, but cannot be prevented by vaccination.