Preventing Tick-borne Encephalitis

Key points

  • Tick-borne encephalitis virus is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected tick.
  • Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in or near forests in parts of Europe and Asia.
  • The best way to prevent tick-borne encephalitis is to prevent tick bites and get vaccinated before traveling, if vaccination is recommended for you.
Person spraying insect repellent on another person's arm.

Prevention tips

Tick-borne encephalitis virus is most commonly spread to people through the bite of an infected tick. Ticks that spread tick-borne encephalitis virus live in or near forests in parts of Europe and Asia.

The best way to prevent tick-borne encephalitis is to protect yourself from tick bites and get vaccinated before traveling, if vaccination is recommended for you.

  • Use insect repellent
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants
  • Treat clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin
  • Perform thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors

Additional information about protecting yourself from tick bites is available on the CDC Ticks website.

To avoid getting tick-borne encephalitis from infected dairy products, avoid eating or drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk and cheese from goats, sheep, or cows in affected areas.

Diagram of a woman in the forest illustrating where on the body to look for ticks.
Check your clothing and body for ticks after being outdoors.

Getting vaccinated

All travelers to countries with risk of tick-borne encephalitis should take steps to avoid tick bites and discuss the need for vaccination with their healthcare provider.
Vaccine
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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)