Tick-borne diseases increased once again in the Czech Republic last year. According to data from the State Health Institute (SZÚ), 4,031 people contracted borreliosis, and 670 contracted tick-borne encephalitis. The number of Lyme disease cases reached the highest level in five years, largely due to the exceptionally long season during which ticks were active.
The number of reported Lyme disease cases rose from 3,268 in 2023 to 4,031 in 2024, marking the highest level in five years. Most cases were recorded in the Vysočina and Central Bohemia regions, while the highest number of encephalitis cases was recorded in the South Bohemia region.
According to experts, one of the reasons for this increase is the unusually long period of tick activity. “The season during which people can be infected by ticks has been extended. It began as early as February, and from March onwards, the occurrence of ticks increased exponentially. With the onset of the drier months of July and August, their numbers decreased again,” said Kateřina Kybicová, head of the National Reference Laboratory for Lyme Disease, in an interview with ČT24. Infected ticks were still registered until November as part of the ‘Ticks in the City’ project. Kybicová thus described last year as a so-called ‘tick year’.
The number of cases of tick-borne encephalitis rose from 514 in 2023 to 670 in 2024, according to data provided by health authorities to the National Institute of Public Health (Státní zdravotní ústav). The Czech Republic is one of the countries with the highest incidence of encephalitis in Europe. “The reason for this is the widespread presence of infected ticks throughout the country, as well as the ideal climate and temperature conditions for their habitat,” a spokeswoman for the institute told the news channel.
It is possible to be vaccinated against encephalitis, but the vaccination rate in the Czech Republic is low compared to other European countries, standing at around 37%, according to SZÚ. By comparison, Austria has a vaccination rate of over 80%, and the number of infected people there is considerably lower.
The effects of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and encephalitis can be serious. Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, can lead to chronic joint inflammation, heart problems, and neurological disorders if left untreated. Encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, can cause severe neurological damage, persistent headaches, fever, and, in extreme cases, permanent disability or even death.
While a vaccine for Lyme disease is still under research, a vaccine for tick-borne encephalitis is already available. It requires a booster shot every three to five years. The cost is around CZK 1,000 per dose, although younger people usually receive a subsidy from insurance companies.
