Tick-Borne Encephalitis Case in Mol-Postel: Rare in Belgium
A woman has contracted tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) after a tick bite in Mol-Postel, a hamlet in the municipality of Mol in Belgium’s Antwerp province. The Flemish Agency for Care and Health (Agentschap Zorg) informed the municipality of the case, marking the second TBE infection in the broader Turnhout region this year and the fourth in Flanders in 2026, according to VRT NWS.
A Rare But Reportable Disease
The affected woman experienced relatively mild but persistent symptoms that led to further medical investigation and ultimately revealed the TBE infection. While the disease can cause serious neurological complications, health authorities emphasize that it remains extremely uncommon in Belgium.
“In previous years, 3 cases of tick-borne encephalitis contracted after a bite in our country were reported each time,” said Joris Moonens, spokesperson for the Flemish Agency for Care and Health. “This year there are also only about 3. It is the 2nd in the Turnhout region. That’s why we’re looking at whether we should alert GPs and neurologists in the region again.”
TBE has been a mandatory reportable disease in Belgium since 2024 for possible autochthonous (locally acquired) infections, as documented by the Departement Zorg. The municipality of Mol was promptly informed and has issued a warning to residents, though officials stress that panic is not warranted.
Distinguishing TBE from Lyme Disease
Acting mayor Lotte Vreys (CD&V teamWim) emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the differences between TBE and the more familiar Lyme disease.
“If more people were to get sick, at least they would have heard of it,” Vreys said. “Tick-borne encephalitis is very different from Lyme disease, which we all know. In that sense, we thought it was important to communicate that we are now also detecting something different.”
Unlike Lyme disease, which typically produces a characteristic skin rash with a surrounding ring, TBE presents with flu-like symptoms. “You feel somewhat nauseous, tired, unwell, or flu-like,” Vreys explained. “If you get such symptoms in the summer and you’ve been in the woods, you might want to think about a tick bite.”
Understanding the Disease
TBE is a viral infection transmitted by ticks, primarily the Ixodes ricinus species, according to the Institute of Tropical Medicine. Unlike Lyme disease, which requires the tick to be attached for over 12 hours, the TBE virus is transmitted immediately upon the bite.
The disease progresses in two phases. The first phase involves flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, and muscle pain. In approximately one-third of cases, a second phase follows with neurological involvement, including meningitis or encephalitis. About two-thirds of TBE infections are asymptomatic.
“Very often people only have mild symptoms,” Moonens said. “Occasionally it develops into a more serious illness, for example with persistent headache. In the most severe cases it leads to encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. That is a serious condition with a risk of death, but fortunately that risk is also quite limited.”
There is no specific treatment for TBE; only symptomatic management is possible.
A Growing Presence in Europe
While TBE remains rare in Belgium, the disease is expanding its range across Europe. TBE is more common in Central and Eastern Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, Germany, the Dolomites in Italy, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, the Baltic states, and parts of Sweden and Finland, as VRT NWS reported in June.
Climate change is extending the active season for ticks, and expanding forested areas and growing wildlife populations contribute to tick proliferation. Experts note an upward trend in TBE cases across the continent.
Belgium first identified suspected locally acquired TBE cases in 2018, when a young woman from Ghent and a horticulturist from Limburg were diagnosed. Prior to that, indirect evidence from antibodies in wild boars and cattle suggested the virus was present in the country, as VRT NWS documented at the time.
Prevention and Vaccination
For the average Belgian citizen, vaccination against TBE is not currently recommended. “In our own country, vaccination is only worth considering for people who are at greater occupational risk, such as foresters,” Moonens said. “For the average citizen who occasionally comes into nature, vaccination is still unnecessary for now, because it remains a rarity.”
However, Moonens acknowledged that this guidance may change over time: “The expectation is that we will see this occur more often year after year. In the long term, there will probably be adjusted advice, but certainly not now.”
Health authorities urge the public to take preventive measures against tick bites, including staying on paths when walking in nature, wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent containing DEET, and checking the entire body after spending time outdoors. Ticks should be removed promptly with pointed tweezers or a specialized tick remover.
The regional broadcaster RTV reported that the municipality of Mol is advising residents to remain vigilant when walking in natural areas around Mol-Postel, while La Libre Belgique noted that the agency stressed such contamination “remains a sporadic phenomenon” in Belgium.
What to Watch For
As TBE continues its gradual expansion across Europe, Belgian health authorities will be monitoring case numbers closely. The decision to alert general practitioners and neurologists in the Turnhout region reflects a proactive approach to ensuring that healthcare professionals recognize the symptoms of this rare but potentially serious disease.
For now, the message from health officials is clear: enjoy the outdoors, take sensible precautions against tick bites, and seek medical advice if flu-like symptoms persist after time spent in nature.