Heightened incidence of tick-transmitted infections

Doctors have reported a heightened incidence of tick-transmitted infections in many parts of the Czech Republic. Since the beginning of spring, when ticks become active, over 1,000 people were infected, 69 of them developed tick-borne encephalitis, the others Lyme disease. Tick-borne encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain, which can cause permanent neurological damage and - in some cases - death. Only about 15 percent of Czechs have been vaccinated against it. To add to the problem, the health ministry failed to buy enough vaccines and they are now in short supply. Experts attribute the heightened incidence of ticks in many parts of the Czech Republic to the mild winter.