title: TBE in Aland Islands 1959-2005: Kumlinge disease.
abstract: Tick-borne encephalitis, TBE, has been observed in Aland Islands (population 26,500) for more than 60 years. Because of the small population, the relative incidence is high. Antibodies to TBE virus have been found in ca. 5% of healthy blood donors, indicating that subclinical infection must be common. This study is a review of the symptoms and signs of all the 301 serologically verified cases of TBE seen in Aland during 1959-2005. It also aims at analysing any possible changes in the symptoms and signs of TBE over time. The annual number of patients has been from 1 to 26, and has increased over time. The clinical picture has not undergone any conspicuous changes during these years. A few patients have had permanent neurological damage. There were no certain deaths from TBE. Simple practical measures may be taken to diminish, but not to eliminate, the risk of tick bites. Vaccination of exposed people is recommended, and general vaccination against TBE has commenced in Aland, beginning 2006. This is expected to reduce the incidence of TBE among the population to almost nil, provided that new inhabitants are vaccinated and that booster vaccinations are carried out as required.
authors.affiliation: Aland Central Hospital, Mariehamn, Aland, Finland. peter.wahlberg@aland.net
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wahlberg
authors.forename: Sten-Anders
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Carlsson
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Granlund
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jansson
authors.forename: Mogens
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindén
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nyberg
authors.forename: Dag
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nyman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000821:virology; D004669:Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne / Q000276:immunology; D004675:Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D032541:Mass Vaccination; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral