Tick-borne encephalitis, often shortened to TBE, is caused by a virus that spreads through the bite of infected ticks. It can lead to flu-like symptoms in the early stage, but in some cases, it may cause swelling of the brain or spinal cord. This can result in serious health problems such as headaches, confusion, muscle weakness, and even long-term complications.
There is no specific cure for TBE, which is why tick-borne encephalitis immunisation is recommended for people at higher risk.