TBE cases rise as tick plague worsens

Tick-borne encephalitis cases in Sweden have surged this year, with 213 infections reported by 20 July—nearly double the 111 and 138 cases recorded during the same period in 2024 and 2025.

The increase is attributed to climate change, which has created warmer springs and extended outdoor activity seasons, according to the Public Health Agency of Sweden.

“The climate has been favourable for ticks and the rodent populations that carry the virus,” said Ulrika Marking, an infectious disease specialist at the agency.

Over the past decade, TBE cases have risen by an average of six percent annually. Last year saw 503 cases, up from 384 in 2024.

Despite the growing threat, Sweden lacks a national registry of TBE vaccinations. The Public Health Agency supports establishing one to track vaccination coverage and effectiveness.

Some regions, including Sörmland, Uppsala, Västmanland, and Östergötland, already subsidise TBE vaccines for children aged 3–18.

TBE can cause severe neurological damage, including paralysis, personality changes, and in rare cases, death.