Czechia Reports Record Number of Infected Ticks. These 3 Regions Are Hit Hardest
This year’s season confirms a long-term trend — ticks are spreading faster than ever across Czechia, and their population is significantly infected with dangerous diseases. Expert studies and data from public health authorities show an alarming rise in cases of Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis. While it used to hold true that these parasites couldn’t thrive at higher elevations, today you can find them even in mountainous areas above a thousand meters.
A simple walk in nature has become an increasingly risky undertaking in recent years. The tick population in the Czech Republic has reached historic highs, and at the same time the percentage of individuals infected with serious pathogens is also rising. Public health stations are recording more than 360 cases of Lyme disease per hundred thousand inhabitants in some locations, a significant increase compared to previous years.
Climate change is bringing milder winters, thanks to which many more ticks survive. What’s more, their activity doesn’t only begin in summer — the first ticks can appear as early as March, and the last ones don’t disappear until the frosts arrive at the end of November. “I remember times when we only had to deal with ticks during summer vacation. Today I’m pulling them off the dog and myself practically all year round,” says Petra Nováková from Jihlava.
Which diseases do ticks transmit
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that manifests as a characteristic redness at the bite site — a circular patch with a pale center. If left untreated, it can cause long-term joint problems, neurological complications, or fatigue lasting for months. The advantage is that it can be treated with antibiotics; the disadvantage is that no preventive vaccine exists.
Tick-borne encephalitis works differently. It is a viral infection affecting the nervous system, which often follows a two-phase course. The first phase resembles flu, with fever and muscle aches. After a brief improvement, a second wave can follow with severe headaches, high fevers, and in the worst cases, brain damage. An effective vaccine exists against encephalitis, which unfortunately still isn’t used by enough people.
Where the greatest danger lurks
An analysis of data from recent years clearly identifies three regions with the highest risk of infection. These areas show a long-term above-average incidence of both Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis.
- Vysočina: The region holds the unenviable record for the number of Lyme disease cases. The combination of extensive forest areas, higher air humidity, and varied landscape creates an environment where ticks thrive exceptionally well.
- South Bohemian Region: A traditionally problematic area with a high incidence of both main diseases. The presence of watercourses, wetlands, and dense vegetation supports massive populations of these parasites.
- Pardubice Region: A surprising increase recorded in recent seasons proves that the problem is rapidly spreading even into areas that were not previously considered at-risk.
Why the situation is getting worse
The older generation remembers a clear rule — ticks don’t live above a certain altitude. This statement has long ceased to be true. Today you can commonly find these parasites even at altitudes exceeding a thousand meters, including in the Šumava mountains or the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains).
Several factors are behind this change. Warm winters mean lower tick mortality during the cold months. Dense vegetation cover maintains the necessary humidity year-round. Growing wildlife populations — especially rodents and roe deer — provide enough hosts for reproduction and pathogen transmission. All these elements together create ideal conditions for an explosion in the population of infected ticks.
Effective protection doesn’t have to be complicated
Spending time in nature doesn’t require extreme measures — it’s enough to follow proven rules. The right clothing forms the first line of defense — long trousers tucked into socks and light-colored fabrics make it possible to quickly spot a crawling tick.
Quality repellents applied to clothing and footwear significantly reduce the risk of a tick bite. After every outdoor outing, take time to thoroughly check your whole body, especially warm and moist areas such as the armpits, the backs of the knees, or the groin.
If you find a tick, remove it as quickly as possible using special tweezers or a card designed for this purpose. disinfect the site after removal, but don’t use oil or other liquids that could irritate the parasite.
In the case of tick-borne encephalitis, vaccination represents the most reliable protection. Vaccination is given in three doses and provides long-term immunity against this dangerous disease.
Sensible caution instead of fear
Current data confirm the seriousness of the situation, but they also show that awareness and prevention can minimize the risk. Knowing which areas are most at risk helps in planning activities with safety in mind. Following basic hygiene and protective rules then safeguards health without requiring people to give up their favorite outdoor activities.
(C) Lyme Borreliosis Foundation
