Background
In Sweden, the number of TBE cases have dramatically increased over the past three decades, with an average of 328 notified cases annually during the past 5 years (2017–2021), which corresponds to an incidence of 3.7 cases / 100,000 population. Although most presentations of TBE virus infections are mild, TBE can cause severe disease requiring support in intensive care units. Neurologic sequelae are common and often long lasting. The increase in incidence of TBE has stimulated discussions regarding the need for public vaccination programs in Sweden, but thorough data concerning the burden of TBE are needed to determine cost-effectiveness of such a program. Therefore, a study has been conducted to provide a baseline to enable informed decisions on immunization programs.
By Michael Bröker Editor, TBE News
