“If we compare data from recent years, excluding seasons affected by the pandemic, the incidence of Lyme disease in the region has not fallen below 400. In 2018 there were 473 cases, in 2019 there were 431 cases, the previous year there were 529 cases. and last year there were 518 cases,” said the director of the Regional Hygiene Station of South Bohemia in a press release Kvetoslava Kotrbová.

According to meteorologists, tick activity is at a high level at this time. This means the risk of infection is greater. “Our region is also one of the regions with the highest incidence of tick-borne encephalitis in Central Europe. In coronavirus-impacted seasons, the number reached more than eight dozen, similar to last year. In other seasons, the incidence exceeded 120 and 130 cases. “Last year's 81 cases are very favorable from a long-term incidence point of view, so far this year we have recorded one case of tick-borne encephalitis in České Budějovice.” Kotrbová said.

According to doctors, Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease that is not very serious, but can cause joint or heart problems. This can be treated with antibiotics. Even more dangerous for humans is tick-borne encephalitis. “The recommended prevention of tick-borne encephalitis is effective vaccination, which is optimal to carry out before the start of the main season of tick activity,” Kotrbová said. In contrast to tick-borne encephalitis, there is still no vaccination against Lyme disease in Central Europe.