Krank nach einem Zeckenstich: Borreliose-Betroffener kämpfte sich zurück ins Leben

Summary:

A feature article in the Tiroler Tageszeitung examines the growing risks posed by ticks in Tyrol as milder temperatures extend their active season. Using the case of Rudolf Buchinger — a Lyme disease patient whose life was severely impacted by an untreated infection — the article illustrates the potential consequences of a tick bite.

Prof. Gisa Gerold, Head of the Institute of Virology at the Medical University of Innsbruck, is quoted on tick prevention and the state of vaccine development. While the available tick vaccination protects against FSME (tick-borne encephalitis), no approved vaccine against Lyme disease currently exists, though Phase 3 trials with human volunteers are underway.

Institute researcher Stefanie Rauch and colleagues are cooperating with AGES to map tick hotspots across Tyrol, aiming to provide the public with targeted, location-specific information on tick exposure risk.