Tick-Borne Encephalitis In Sweden : What Is Happening In My County Over The Past 35 Years?

Abstract: Tick-borne encephalitis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease with more than 12,000 annual clinical reported cases globally (WHO, 2021). Tick-borne encephalitis is caused by the flavivirus and transferred by Ixodes ricinus from roe deer to human and affects the central Nervous system. Climate change also increases tick-borne encephalitis incidences in Sweden and fluctuated considerably from year to year. A quantitative study design with secondary data was conducted to analyze the spatial and temporal pattern of Tick-borne encephalitis in Sweden from 1986-2020. The distribution of Tick-borne encephalitis within age and sex, along with other factors were also analyzed. The results showed that Tick-borne encephalitis with passing each year spread across the country. Male and age group, 50-59, have more incidence of Tick-borne encephalitis. Incidents were associated with climate conditions such as temperature and precipitation, which provided a favorable environment for Ixodes ricinus for its lifecycle activities, host searching, and disease transmission. Roe deer population, other vertebrates abundance, vaccination, population interest, economy, and land change are the critical factors that facilitate the disease incidence or control. People who visit forests for hunting, trekking, leisure, and professional activities without proper immunity and preventive measures are at risk to infect with Tick-borne encephalitis. The theory One health approach showed suitable performance for the control of this vulnerable climate zoonotic disease.