What We Do
Public Health France is responsible for the epidemiological surveillance of tick-borne encephalitis. Although very rare in France, the disease can lead to serious complications.
Although cases of tick-borne encephalitis remain rare in France, this disease can lead to serious complications with neurological sequelae (paralysis, behavioral or memory disorders) that may persist for several years.
Furthermore, in Europe, the incidence of the disease appears to have been increasing in recent years, with very rapid increases in Switzerland, for example, and the discovery of the first cases in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands in 2018.
In this context, Santé publique France conducts epidemiological surveillance of tick-borne encephalitis, in collaboration with the National Reference Center for Arboviruses, and contributes to prevention efforts.
Epidemiological Surveillance of Tick-Borne Encephalitis
Surveillance of tick-borne encephalitis in France was conducted by the National Reference Center for Arboviruses until 2020.
Since May 12, 2021, infections with the virus responsible for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE virus) have been included on the list of notifiable diseases.
In addition, France contributes to European surveillance efforts carried out by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC, Stockholm) by providing anonymized data.
Mandatory reporting
Mandatory reporting involves collecting, for certain diseases known as “notifiable diseases,” information as comprehensive as possible regarding cases from biologists and physicians.
It involves two successive procedures: reporting and notification.
Physicians and laboratory professionals who suspect or diagnose a notifiable disease must report it immediately and by any appropriate means (telephone, fax, email) to the physician at the Regional Health Agency (ARS) in their area of practice.
The report allows the ARS physician to implement individual and collective control and prevention measures around the cases and, if necessary, to initiate investigations to identify the source of the infection and take action to reduce it.
Notification occurs after the report and most often after confirmation of the diagnosis. Reporting physicians or laboratory professionals notify the ARS physician at their place of practice using a form specific to each disease. Notification enables the analysis and monitoring of the progression of these diseases within the population in order to better target local and national prevention efforts.
Definition of cases to be reported and notified
| Clinical presentation suggestive of TBE virus infection | ||
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed cases | Probable cases | Possible cases |
| - Positive gene amplification in a clinical specimen - Virus isolation in a clinical specimen - Detection of specific IgM in CSF - Detection of IgM and IgG in serum - Seroconversion or a 4-fold increase in IgG titer in paired serum samples |
Detection of specific IgM in a single serum sample | Neurological presentation and epidemiological link to a confirmed case (e.g., consumption of the same raw milk dairy product, transfusion) |
Notification Form
Informing the public about the reporting of notifiable diseases
Surveillance Partners
National Reference Center for Arboviruses
CNR Metropolitan Coordinator | Contacts
INSERM
Scientific Director: Prof. X. de Lamballerie
Scientific Leaders: N. Ayhan, L. Pezzi, R. Klitting
IRBA Marseille
Director: G. Grard
Deputy: G. Durand
Address: IHU Méditerranée-Infection, 1st Floor – Laboratory 114, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 MARSEILLE
Secretariat: +33 (0)4 13 73 21 81 - Secretariat Fax: +33 (0)4 13 73 21 82
CNR Associated Laboratory, Antilles-Guyana Region
Pasteur Institute of French Guiana
Head: D. Rousset
Address: Institut Pasteur of French Guiana, Virology Laboratory, 23, avenue Pasteur - P.O. Box 6010 - 97 306 Cayenne Cedex - French Guiana
Laboratory: 05 94 29 58 27 - Office: 05 94 29 58 16 - Fax: 05 94 29 58 09
CNR Associated Laboratory, Indian Ocean Region
Saint Denis University Hospital, Réunion
Director: N. Traversier
Address: CHU Saint-Denis de la Réunion Félix Guyon, Microbiology Laboratory, Allée des Topazes - CS11021 - 97405 Saint-Denis Cedex
Office: 02 62 90 62 60 - Fax: 02 62 90 53 38 or 02 62 90 50 54
Preventive measures against tick-borne encephalitis
Santé publique France has created an informational website on the various vaccinations available in France to provide reliable, scientifically validated answers to questions the public and healthcare professionals may have on the subject.
A section dedicated to tick-borne encephalitis vaccination is available in two distinct areas: one aimed at the general public, the other at healthcare professionals, to better support them in their practice.
In addition, Santé publique France contributes to information campaigns on tick bite prevention and has published several documents to promote protective measures against tick bites in high-risk areas.
Santé publique France also supports the Regional Health Agencies (ARS) in investigating clusters of TBE cases, determining their origin—particularly if a foodborne cause is suspected—and implementing control measures.
Download
Reference materials
In relation to
Lyme disease
thematic dossier
Lyme borreliosis, or Lyme disease, is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, which is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected ticks.
Vaccination
thematic dossier
Contagious diseases most often affect children at a very young age. Because children are particularly vulnerable, they are a priority target for vaccination programs.
Tularemia
thematic dossier
Tularemia is caused by infection with Francisella tularensis. Hares and ticks are the primary vectors in France. The severity of the disease varies, and reporting cases is mandatory.
