In Irkutsk Region in 2012 more than 13.6 thousand tick bites were recorded, and viral tick borne encephalitis incidence rose by 37 percent and was three times the national average. The article details where the risk was highest, which prevention measures have already worked, and why vaccination remains the most reliable protection. It also gives practical advice on what to do after a tick bite and where to seek help and tick testing.

In 2012, 13,639 cases of ixodid tick bites were registered in the Irkutsk Region, which is approximately at the 2011 level. Among those affected by bites, 3,238 were children under 14 years of age — 7.8% fewer than in 2011 (3,499 cases).
A decrease in incidence compared with 2011 was noted for ixodid borreliosis by 2.2% (146 cases versus 154), and for tick-borne rickettsiosis by 37% (68 cases versus 112). At the same time, a 37% increase in the incidence of viral tick-borne encephalitis was registered: 138 cases versus 106.
The incidence of tick-borne encephalitis in the Irkutsk Region in 2012 exceeded the national average by 3 times.
The epidemic season for tick-borne infections lasted from the third ten-day period of March to the first ten-day period of October. The highest number of bites was recorded in the Irkutsk District, the Ust-Orda Buryat Okrug, and the Olkhon District.
Emergency prophylaxis with anti-tick immunoglobulin was administered to 2,635 affected persons, which is 16.3% more than in 2011. Conducting rapid tick testing and timely emergency prophylaxis made it possible to prevent 111 cases of tick-borne encephalitis and 1,167 cases of tick-borne borreliosis.
This year, as in the previous one, special attention will be paid to organizing acaricidal treatments in places of mass public gathering (parks, squares, cemeteries), in summer recreational facilities (including day camps, out-of-town camps, and sanatoriums), in children's educational institutions, as well as on the territory of gardening associations, individual construction plots, suburban cafes, and others. 4,078.8 thousand rubles are planned to be allocated for these measures. In 2012, a total of 2,498 hectares were treated across the region.
The Office of Rospotrebnadzor for the Irkutsk Region reminds that the most reliable and long-lasting method of protection against tick-borne encephalitis is preventive vaccination.
According to the results of the studies conducted, the protective level of antibodies in vaccinated persons is 4.3 times higher than in unvaccinated persons, which confirms the special role of immunization in the system of preventive measures.
For the purchase of vaccine in 2013, it is planned to allocate 4,227.9 thousand rubles from the municipal budgets of 12 municipalities. This year, 16,008 people have already been vaccinated against viral tick-borne encephalitis.
In 2012, 53,416 people were vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis, which is 5% less than for the same period in 2011. Taking into account persons vaccinated in previous years, coverage with preventive vaccinations amounted to 12.9% of the total population of the region.
You can get vaccinated at polyclinics at your place of residence. For children in Irkutsk, the vaccination is free of charge, paid for from the municipal budget.
You can use the services of alternative vaccination rooms. There is no need to bring your own vaccine there. In addition, alternative rooms will offer you a domestic or imported vaccine to choose from:
Tick-borne Infection Prevention Center: Irkutsk, 3 K. Marx St., tel. 333-445.
Molecular Diagnostics Center: Irkutsk, 29/1 Rabochego Shtaba St., tel. 480-188.
Measures for the prevention of viral tick-borne encephalitis
Tick-borne viral encephalitis is a severe viral disease characterized by damage to the central nervous system, which can lead to paresis, paralysis, and, in extreme cases, death. The main carriers of the tick-borne encephalitis virus in nature are ixodid ticks, which are widespread not only in Russia, but also in many countries of Europe and Asia.
Most of the territory of the Irkutsk Region is located in a natural focus of tick-borne viral encephalitis. Therefore, every resident of the Angara region is at risk of contracting this dangerous infection.
The main preventive measure against viral tick-borne encephalitis is immunization of the population.
In accordance with sanitary regulations, vaccinations against tick-borne encephalitis can be carried out throughout the year, but vaccination should be completed 2 weeks before the expected entry into the infection focus.
In order to ensure free rapid testing of the tick, receive qualified medical care and emergency prophylaxis in the event of a tick bite, we recommend purchasing a voluntary insurance policy against tick-borne encephalitis.
Main personal preventive measures when visiting the forest:
wear protective clothing,
use tick-repelling agents (repellents)
perform self-examinations and mutual examinations,
stay in the middle of the path, avoid thickets of last year’s grass and deadwood,
do not sit on the grass without a mat,
check pets that you take with you into the forest for ticks.
What should you do if a tick attaches itself?
Immediately contact a medical facility for removal, or (if you are far from the city) remove the tick yourself. To do this, tie the tick’s body with a strong thread, coat it with some oil or fat, wait 3–5 minutes, and gently pull the tick out with rocking movements, trying not to tear off the proboscis. If the proboscis still remains in the skin, it should be removed like an ordinary splinter — with a needle heated in a flame and then cooled. The tick bite site must be cauterized with iodine or alcohol. Wash your hands thoroughly after removing the tick.
The removed tick must be taken to a specialized institution for testing. To do this, it should be wrapped in damp gauze and placed in a jar. If the tick is found to be infected with the encephalitis virus or borreliae, you will be prescribed medications for emergency prophylaxis.
You should seek medical attention as soon as possible, since prophylaxis must begin within the first 3 days after the tick attaches.
Tick-borne infection prevention centers you can contact:
Virology Laboratory of the Federal Budgetary Healthcare Institution “Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Irkutsk Region” (Irkutsk, 51 Trilissera St., tel. 23-41-97).
Center for Diagnosis and Prevention of Tick-borne Infections (Irkutsk, 3 K. Marx St., tel. 333-445).
City trauma centers — removal of attached ticks is carried out.
Based on materials from Rospotrebnadzor for the Irkutsk Region