Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), also known as tick-borne meningitis, has become increasingly common in Finland over the past ten years, spreading rapidly throughout the country. Although there were fewer cases last year than in the record-breaking year of 2021, the long-term trend is upward. Additionally, the number of ticks has increased over the past few decades, and they are now found in almost all parts of Finland except for the northernmost Lapland region. At the same time, TBE virus-carrying ticks have been found in new areas.
A website offered by the University of Turku indicates which municipalities in Finland have the highest concentrations of ticks – and of the tick-borne illness TBE.