The risk of Lyme disease is increasing: This is how Berchtesgaden and Traunstein residents protect themselves!

The risk of Lyme disease is increasing: This is how Berchtesgaden and Traunstein residents protect themselves!

Summer brings not only joy and sun, but also annoying ticks. A current increase in Lyme disease cases in Bavaria is making headlines and causing worried faces. As bgland24 reports, the Bavarian State Office of Health already has 500 additional ones by the end of July 2025 Lyme disease cases reported, showing a worrying trend compared to last year.

The districts of Mühldorf and Altötting are particularly affected, where the numbers are increasing. In Berchtesgadener Land, 4 cases were registered by August 4th - last year there were 13 cases during this period. In Traunstein, too, the statistics don't look much better with 28 cases by August 1st, although the health authorities cannot identify any unusual developments here.

What constitutes Lyme disease?

The disease, also called Lyme disease, is transmitted by the common wood tick (Ixodes ricinus). This tick has a particularly tough year because warm, humid weather and the general climate favor the population, explains Professor Dr. Thomas Glück. The age of the tick also plays a role: the older it is, the higher the likelihood that it carries Borrelia because it has bitten more hosts. According to AOK, around one in 100 people who are bitten by a tick develop Lyme disease. Symptoms often only appear weeks to months after the bite.

One of the first signs is the so-called traveling redness, which can appear between 3 and 30 days after the bite. It is interesting that treatment is not absolutely necessary in the first phase of the disease. However, antibiotics are effective when given later in the course of the disease. It is important to see a doctor if characteristic symptoms occur.

Prevention is everything

What is the best way to protect yourself from ticks? This is where some simple tips come into play: Long clothing, tick repellent and regular physical examinations after spending time outdoors are worth their weight in gold. Ticks should be removed as quickly as possible and in the correct way. It is also recommended to consider a TBE vaccination, which is covered by statutory health insurance companies.

According to the Robert Koch Institute, new species of ticks such as the Hyalomma tick may also appear more frequently in Germany, and our beloved migratory birds in particular contribute to such unwanted guests expanding their population. While such Hyalomma ticks can carry dangerous pathogens such as the Crimean-Congo virus, the common wood tick remains the main cause of Lyme disease infections for the time being.

The health risks are therefore real. This makes it all the more important to make informed decisions and beware of a tick bite. Anyone who enjoys nature should also have a good hand in protecting their health.