The number of Lyme disease cases has risen significantly so far this year. Since the beginning of the year, the State Investigation Institute has already recorded 535 infections with the tick-borne disease, according to the latest weekly epidemiological report. This includes cases up to June 22. In 2024, the number of cases at the same time was around one-sixth lower (456 cases).
Current cases in almost all of Saxony
In the 25th reporting week (June 16 to 22), 68 new infections were added. Almost all of Saxony was affected, with the exception of the city and district of Leipzig. Most cases were in Dresden (10) and the district of Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains (11). In 2024, 1,628 cases of Lyme disease were reported in Saxony, around 150 more than in the previous year.
Borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) can be transmitted by ticks. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to inflammation of the joints, heart muscle and nerves. TBE begins with flu-like symptoms, later on nervous system failures are also possible. Vaccinations are available against TBE, while Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics.
TBE numbers down by two thirds
In contrast, there has been a significant decline in TBE cases. Last week, there was one new case in the Vogtland region. This brings the total so far this year to five in the entire state. At the same time in 2024, there were already three times as many (15).
In the last tick season, which normally lasts from March to September in Germany, 63 cases of TBE were registered in Saxony - almost twice as many as in 2023.
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