Don't play with the tick - win against tick-borne encephalitis

As many as one in six ticks may be infected with the dangerous virus causing tick-borne encephalitis [TBE], a disease for which there is no effective cure and which, in its most dramatic course, can cause serious damage to the nervous system and even death. An education and awareness campaign has been launched-information 'Don't play with ticks - win against tick-borne encephalitis', which aims to provide reliable knowledge about TBE and encourage preventive measures, i.e. vaccination. The changing climate, increasingly warmer winters and higher temperatures have caused ticks to start "hunting humans" earlier and earlier every year, and Poles are becoming increasingly attractive to these dangerous arachnids. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of ticks, as evidenced above all by the increasing number of cases of dangerous tick-borne diseases, namely Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis [TBE]. Particularly dangerous is tick-borne encephalitis [TBE], for which modern medicine has not yet found a cure and which can have very serious health consequences. The KZM virus, which belongs to the genus Flaviviruses [which also includes the Zika virus], lives in the salivary glands of ticks and can therefore be infected almost immediately after a bite. By infecting the central nervous system, the virus can cause meningitis and encephalitis, which can lead to disability and even death. In Poland, awareness of the risk of SHE is still very low. While more and more people are becoming aware of the threat of boleriosis, there is still too little knowledge about the KZM, which can be effectively protected against by the possibility of vaccination. Unlike boleriosis [which is treated with antibiotics], however, there is no specific antiviral treatment for SHB. The only method is preventive action, i.e. vaccination. An educational and public awareness campaign has just been launched to help raise awareness of PMS "Don't play with the tick - win against tick-borne encephalitis".. The planned activities will be conducted on a nationwide scale, with the aim of providing as many people as possible with reliable information on the symptoms and course of the disease, as well as ways to prevent it. The campaign is aimed primarily at residents of urban areas, who are at risk of tick bites during spring and summer activities in the countryside [also in urban areas]. The campaign is also aimed at people who travel to tick-borne encephalitis outbreak areas in spring and summer. Those who spend their leisure time in areas where ticks are present are also at risk. This group includes mushroom pickers, parents of young children, gardeners, joggers and dog owners. The campaign consists of, among other things, a nationwide educational campaign [spot], activities in the traditional media, communication on the Internet and direct contact with people potentially interested in the subject [distribution of leaflets and other information materials]. The campaign will culminate in the Month of Vaccination against PMS [start at the end of April and the beginning of May], during which it will be possible to be vaccinated against this disease in a convenient manner and at a promotional price in selected facilities. The campaign is organised by the Institute for Patient Rights and Health Education, the Aby Żyć Foundation and Pfizer.