The Robert Koch Institute has identified two further regions in Germany as TBE risk areas. The North Saxony district in Saxony and the Halle (Saale) urban district in Saxony-Anhalt have been reclassified. This brings the number of affected districts to 185.
In 2025, 693 cases of tick-borne encephalitis were registered in Germany. This is the third highest number since data collection began in 2001. 98 percent of those affected were either not vaccinated at all or only inadequately vaccinated.
Almost all sick people without vaccination protection
The numbers clearly show that anyone who does not get vaccinated is taking a high risk. The viruses are mainly transmitted through tick bites. In rare cases, the infection can also occur through food, for example by consuming infected raw milk. There is no transmission from person to person.
Many infections go unnoticed. The majority of those infected do not develop any symptoms or only develop flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches and body aches. However, in a small percentage, serious complications can occur: inflammation of the meninges, brain or spinal cord. The Symptoms then worsen: high fever, severe headaches, muscle pain and neurological deficits.
No deaths in 2025
Typically, about one percent of patients die from the disease. However, there were no confirmed deaths in 2025. Vaccination is available and provides effective protection.
The risk of infection exists primarily in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, southern Hesse, southeast Thuringia, Saxony, southeast Brandenburg and eastern Saxony-Anhalt. There are also individual risk areas in Central Hesse, Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia.
RKI recommends caution everywhere
The RKI advises caution – everywhere. According to experts, isolated cases also occur in federal states without designated risk areas. Particularly during tick season, tick-borne illness should be considered if symptoms occur.