West Palatinate: Plague of ticks, but only a few cases of Lyme disease discovered!

West Palatinate: Plague of ticks, but only a few cases of Lyme disease discovered!

There are numerous ticks on the move in West Palatinate this year, but the number of infections with dangerous pathogens such as Lyme disease and TBE remains low so far. Despite the frequent encounters with these small but potentially dangerous ectoparasites, fortunately there are only a few infections. This is reported by the SWR. There were a total of 25 cases of Lyme disease in the city and district of Kaiserslautern by 2024, compared to 76 in the previous year. 11 cases of Lyme disease were reported in the Donnersberg district, while three infections were recorded in the Kusel district.

In contrast, TBE, an inflammation of the brain and meninges caused by viruses, is quite rare in this region. While only four TBE cases were registered in Rhineland-Palatinate in 2024, the districts of North and West Palatinate were spared from infections. The last confirmed TBE infection in the Kusel district dates back to 2006. Since Lyme disease is notifiable, extensive treatment with antibiotics is available, whereas there is a vaccination for TBE.

Climate change and tick activity

Climate change has a significant impact on the spread of ticks. Warmer winters mean that ticks are active all year round, as well WDR reported. In Germany, the risk areas for TBE have expanded from south to north, and the current map from the Robert Koch Institute shows an increase in these areas, with further new estimates for 2024.

Gerhard Dobler, head of the National Consultative Laboratory TBE, emphasized that the number of TBE cases is also increasing in the northern hemisphere. These developments must be taken seriously, especially in view of the findings from researchers at the Institute of Parasitology at the Hannover University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, which show a connection between the climate crisis and changing tick activity.

The threat of new species of ticks

Although the West Palatinate is largely spared from TBE, there are new, previously non-native species of ticks, such as the Hyalomma tick, which can also transmit dangerous diseases. However, no infections from these new species have been reported in the region yet, but research shows that could soon change. The transmission of Borrelia, the main cause of Lyme disease, also occurs mainly through the closest tick species, which is responsible for more than 50% of the ticks found in Germany.

In summary, it can be seen that the activity of ticks in the West Palatinate is not without risk, while the infection rates with Lyme disease and TBE fortunately remain relatively low. However, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop further. The long-term consequences of climate change and the associated increase in ticks must continue to be closely monitored in order to be able to offer the population timely preventative measures. The study about ticks and their ability to transmit diseases shows the importance of education and prevention in society.