anyone been to Slovenia? Bit worried.

[POFAKKEDDthechair]

Supposed to be going soonish. Just noticed on some travel advice website it recommends vaccination against tick borne encephalitis for going there. We don't have time to do a proper course. Anyone been there in the summer? are ticks a real problem? Worried about the dcs now.

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Hi
My mother has been there a couple of times and certainly never mentioned this. BTW she loves the place.

Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises no health issues

www.mims.co.uk/TravelTables/882484/Slovenia/

The above only advises immunisation for tick born encephalitis for rural travel.

I guess that it depends on where you are going. The above implies that the normal tourist centres will be okay.

I hope you have a lovely time.

thanks Suzi. We will be in a rural forested area so concerned about tick exposure. Has anyone been there with children?

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I wouldn't worry too much. We used to live in Austria (next door country) where everyone is vaccinated. We also had our vaccinations, however to put it in context we had a dog and walked in heavily wooded areas 2 x per day for 5 years. DH & I never got a tick on us, DS had one in 5 years (the dog got them on a regular basis but that's another story).
In addition it's a 2 phase vaccination i.e. one, plus a 2nd one a month later. I really wouldn't worry, your chances of picking up a tick are rare and the chances of that tick then carrying encephalitis are a risk worth taking in my opinion.
Enjoy Slovenia, It's on my list of places I really want to visit.

Yes have been there, been in rural forest area and didn't have the hab, dd was 18 months.

Thanks orienteer and Fivegomad.

I don't know if one vaccination will give us much immunity. I am thinking that Slovenia is crawling with ticks [especially forested area where we're staying - I do hope that is not the case! It is confusing as travel advice says the vaccine 'may be considered for at risk travellers' which is a bit vague.

When were you there Five? Was it recently? Was it summer? did your dd crawl about freely?

how old are your dc? The thing will probably be to have them wear trousers made of light material so they will not be too hot yet still covered. Basically the more they are covered, the less of a problem it will be. However you need to check them over every day and you had best get a special tick remover - special type of tweezers, so if you do find a tick, you can get it out quick.

we went a few yers ago to the (eavily forestef rural) area near Bovec

no-one mentioned ticks andwe had a fab time

Yes must get a tick tool ZZZen. But with this virus apparently once tick in it can transmit infection, unlike Lyme disease. [you can tell I've been internet trawling] Definitely going to do the long trousers and long tops thing. And insect repellent. Though not too keen on chemicals. No idea if citronella works on ticks though.

Did you go in the summer MrsBadger? did you do any forest walks? Thanks for info.

We were there 3 years ago and yes she crawled about freely.

yes, it was high summer and we went hiking every day

all the websites I have seen say at most 'vaccination sometimes recommended' not 'you will DIE from TICKS'. Traveldoctor.co,uk (who I usually rate) doesn;t think it's neccessary at all

don't worry

Ok thanks you two.

did you see no ticks at all MrsB?

ooo lucky you! I LOVE slovenia! very out doorsey place so I wouldn't go without TBE vacs TBH, but if caught short then being sensible and dressing in non brit abroad attire should suffice (not shorts and flip flops in long grass, inspecting each other for ticks etc)

not a single one

oh gawd I was feeling better till your post SalbySea. I think I will have to cover children with insect repellent put long trousers and shoes on them and hope for the best. We'll avoid forests I think [rather difficult]Too late for vaccine course.

Good to know mrs Badger.

have you spoken to your gp about the vaccination? I can see it would put your mind at ease to know your dc were vaccinated

I googled it and the first site that came up (MD Travel) said this :
"Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine may be considered for long-term travelers who expect to be visiting rural or forested areas in the spring or summer. In Slovenia, most cases are reported from the northern part of the country. See Eurosurveillance for further information. Two vaccines have been developed: TicoVac, also known as FSME Immun (Baxter AG), which is manufactured in Austria, and Encepur (Chiron Behring), which is made in Germany. The vaccines are approved for use in a number of European countries, but not the United States. A full series consists of three doses over a one-year period, which is not practical for most travelers, though limited data indicate that Encepur may be given in an accelerated schedule for faster immunity. Tick precautions, as discussed below, are strongly advised."

So most tourists will not have ahd the regular series of vaccinations

And it continues: "In recent years, more cases of Lyme disease have been reported from Slovenia than from any other European country. Most cases are reported from the northern part of the country. See Eurosurveillance for further information. Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection which causes fever, headache, joint pains, body aches, and malaise, usually in association with an expanding red rash, often pale in the center (known as a bull's eye rash). If not treated in its early stages, the infection may be complicated by arthritis, meningitis, encephalitis, Bells palsy, or cardiac involvement. Tick precautions are recommended for travel to rural and forested areas, especially during the warm weather months.

The number of cases of tick-borne encephalitis almost doubled from 2004 to 2006 (see Eurosurveillance). Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral infection of the central nervous system transmitted by tick bites, usually after travel to rural or forested areas in the spring or summer. The infection may also be acquired by ingesting unpasteurized dairy products. The disease typically begins as a flu-like illness, including fever, headache, and vomiting, followed by the development of neurologic symptoms. Neurologic damage may be permanent, causing chronic headaches, difficulty concentrating, muscle weakness or loss of balance. Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine should be considered for long-term travelers who expect to be visiting rural or forested areas in the spring or summer, especially in the northern part of the country. The vaccine is available in many European countries, but not the United States. Tick precautions are strongly advised, as below. As above, vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis should be considered for long-term travelers who expect to be visiting rural or forested areas in the spring or summer"

I don't think if you are going there for 2 weeks you count as a long-term traveller. Not sure about that though. Prbbably no different to what you have already read and I agree it does sound quite alarming when you read it, doesn't it?

"Tick protection

Wear long sleeves, long pants, and boots, with pants tucked in, when traveling to rural or forested areas. Apply insect repellents containing 25-50% DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) or 20% picaridin (Bayrepel) to exposed skin (but not to the eyes, mouth, or open wounds). DEET may also be applied to clothing. Products with a lower concentration of either repellent need to be repplied more frequently. Products with a higher concentration of DEET carry an increased risk of neurologic toxicity, especially in children, without any additional benefit. Do not use either DEET or picaridin on children less than two years of age. For additional protection, apply permethrin-containing compounds to clothing and shoes. Permethrin-treated clothing appears to have little toxicity. Perform a thorough tick check at the end of each day with the assistance of a friend or a full-length mirror. Ticks should be removed with tweezers, grasping the tick by the head. Many tick-borne illnesses can be prevented by prompt tick removal."

if your children are under 2, I am not sure what you should do about it tbh. Am not sure if I would really bother following those instructions tbh (too lazy). I am sure Slovenia is lovely though and a nice place for a holiday.

hmm

I would wear long trous dabbed with permethrin and check the dcs over in the bath every night

two weeks is not a long-term traveller

Yes it does sound horrendous, TBE. Not an illness to be treated lightly. I have found a german tick repellent which is apparently less toxic and scientifically proven to repel ticks - will have to get it on our way [driving] Think will just smother dcs with it as apparently non toxic.

It is frustratingly evasive though, the official advice. 'long term travellers' 'visiting rural or forested areas in summer'
We are doing the latter, but for an average holiday-sized holiday. I think it is deliberately vague tbh.

prob with the stuff quoted by ZZZ is that its a teeny tiny country, you can go from north to south and back in a day so I can't see how anything can really be restricted to the north

non long grassey things to do:
lake bled is amazingly clear and had heated naturally from bellow, there was a play area with floats when I was there so fab for swimming in (but a bit harder to swim in for weak swimmers because no salt)

Postojnska caves - much more touristy and child friendly than Skocjan caves which are much rougher round the edges and I seem to remember having to walk through wooded areas etc to get round the Skocjan caves. There's no walking through wood / long grass at Postojnska caves

BUT the Skocjan caves were the MOST awesome (in the proper sense of the word) thing I have ever seen in my life

OP I was childless when I went and even then was excited about taking my kids there when I had them, I cannot wait till my LO is big enough to appreciate it, its a fab country

Yes it is the size of Wales. But apparently near coast in south fewer ticks - they like the shady forested climate of the north [where we'll be]

thanks for tips on caves salby.