Defining a risk area for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in a country where TBE is emerging, the Netherlands, July 2016-October 2020

Abstract

TBE is an emerging infectious disease in the Netherlands since July 2016, and risk areas have not been defined yet. Until October 2020 twelve autochthonous cases of TBE have been identified. In six of these cases transmission of TBE virus likely occurred in the Twente region, which therefore is the region with the highest case number and risk of contracting the disease. Here we summarize the Twente cases so far and discuss if the Twente region should be considered a risk-area using criteria of traditional TBE endemic countries, and the public health measures that may accompany such designation.

Keywords: Emerging infectious disease; Public health; TBE risk area; Tick-borne encephalitis virus; the Netherlands.