In the Czech Republic, tick-borne diseases are reaching a ten-year high in 2025. Lyme disease, in particular, has seen a dramatic rise. Experts warn of further increases in the autumn.
By the end of August, doctors in the Czech Republic had registered more tick-borne diseases than at any time in the past ten years. According to the Czech news channel ČT24, the number of tick-borne encephalitis cases rose to 517 – compared with 490 in the same period last year and 670 for the entire year. The increase is particularly pronounced for Lyme disease: in August alone, 2,646 new cases were reported, whereas in the same month last year, there were only about a quarter of that number. Experts expect further cases in the autumn, particularly due to the mushroom season.
Both diseases often begin with non-specific symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle and joint pain. In the case of Lyme disease, a characteristic red skin change – the so-called erythema migrans – often appears first at the site of the bite.
TBE can lead to memory and concentration difficulties, chronic fatigue, or even paralysis – in rare cases it can be fatal, especially among older or medically vulnerable people. Lyme disease can cause permanent damage to joints, especially the knees, or trigger inflammation of the meninges and paralysis of the facial nerve.
The risk of infection increases the longer the tick remains on the body. Experts therefore advise consistent protection: use repellents, wear long clothing, thoroughly check the body after being in nature, and remove ticks as early and correctly as possible. The SZÚ also recommends staying on paths and avoiding tall grass or dense undergrowth.
It is possible to be vaccinated against TBE (tick-borne encephalitis). However, the vaccination rate in the Czech Republic is low compared with other European countries, standing at around 37 percent according to the SZÚ. By comparison, the vaccination rate in Austria exceeds 80 percent, and the number of infected people there is also many times lower.
While research is still ongoing for a Lyme disease vaccine, a vaccine against TBE is already available. It needs to be renewed every three to five years. The cost is around 1,000 CZK per dose, with younger people typically receiving a subsidy from insurance companies.
Map of Tick Activity in the Czech Republic (Map | Klíště.cz)
