Tick ​​alarm in Saxony: Lyme disease cases explode during holidays!

Tick ​​alarm in Saxony: Lyme disease cases explode during holidays!

Tick ​​season is in full swing, and the current figures from Saxony make it clear that the risk of Lyme disease infection is particularly high this year. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), a total of 1,209 cases of Lyme disease were registered in Saxony by the end of last week. Interestingly, over 55 percent of these cases occurred during the summer holidays, which is consistent with trends from previous years. Last year, 906 cases of Lyme disease were recorded in the same period, around half of which occurred during the holidays. With this development, everyone should keep a close eye on their health, especially during outdoor recreation time.

But Lyme disease is not the only issue at this time. In Saxony, 27 cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) have already been reported for 2025. Compared to last year, when there were 37 TBE cases at the same time, there appears to be a slight decrease, but attention remains important. TBE is a flu-like viral infection that can cause serious complications such as meningitis. However, there is a vaccination that is particularly recommended for people in risk areas.

Lyme disease and its symptoms

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria – Borrelia – and is the most common tick-borne infectious disease in Germany. Typical symptoms include a red ring of skin around the injection site, muscle and joint pain and fever. Other frightening facts are that the symptoms can often only appear weeks after the tick bite and that there are suspected unreported cases of Lyme disease that the official statistics may not record. Treatment is only possible with antibiotics, while there is no preventative vaccination against Lyme disease.

A similar development can also be seen in Thuringia. It was reported there that around half of the Lyme disease cases registered this year occurred during the summer holidays. In the last six holiday weeks alone, 142 cases were documented. The Barmer health insurance company cites the RKI data, which also describes that five out of ten reported TBE infections occur during the summer holidays.

Risks and protective measures

Tick ​​bites are particularly a major health risk in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, as disease transmission there has remained relatively stable in recent years. While cases of Lyme disease have declined, there has been an increase in TBE. In these areas, vaccination against TBE is even recommended. This is an example of how important it is to protect yourself against diseases transmitted by ticks and to be vigilant. The recommendations are: After spending time outdoors, thoroughly check your body for ticks and remove them immediately.

The development is alarming and health authorities are called upon to inform the population about the risks and recommend appropriate protective measures. Summer is the most popular time for excursions into nature, and despite the high risk, it remains important to enjoy this time, but with a certain level of awareness for your own health.