[Tick borne encephalitis in children].

Tick borne encephalitis is a viral disease due to TBEV (Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus) transmitted by infected tick-bite. It is an arbovirosis (arthropod-borne viruses). This disease is encountered in a large area from Western Europe to the eastern coast of Japan. More than 10,000 cases are hospitalized each year and cases are increasing in Europe. The risk to be infected is very high in residents of endemic areas but also in travellers who have leisure in these endemic areas. Morbidity is age dependent and is highest in adults. A third of patients have longlasting sequelae with cognitive dysfunction. Diagnostic is made by specific IgM and IgG antibody in the serum. In the first phase of illness the virus can be detected by RT-PCR from blood. No specific treatment for this disease exists. Immunization is the main preventive measure.