Mild temperatures - Barmer urges caution against ticks

In view of the mild temperatures, the Barmer health insurance company in Saxony is warning people to be careful about contracting Lyme disease and TBE from tick bites. "Anyone who wants to take advantage of the first mild days to go out into nature or work in the garden should check themselves, their children and pets for ticks afterwards and remove them with tweezers if necessary," said state managing director Monika Welfens in a statement. This reduces the risk of infection with TBE or Lyme disease.

Tick season starts early

Current infection figures suggest that ticks are already active in many regions of Saxony. According to statistics from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), 107 cases of Lyme disease have been reported in Saxony since the beginning of the year - 26 more than in the same period in 2024. The Erzgebirgskreis (24 cases), Central Saxony (20 cases) and the district of Zwickau (19 cases) were most affected.

TBE infection has also already occurred in the Free State: This was registered in the urban district of Dresden. The first case occurred in early April 2024.

If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to inflammation of the joints, heart muscle and nerves. The disease occurs throughout Germany.

FSME, on the other hand, only occurs in certain regions. The majority of Saxony is now classified as a risk area. The only exceptions are the city of Leipzig and the districts of Leipzig and North Saxony. The course of the disease begins with flu-like symptoms, later on nervous system failures are also possible.

What to do after a tick bite

According to Barmer, however, there is no reason to panic after a tick bite. It does not automatically lead to infection, said Welfens. "It is important to keep a close eye on the site of the bite over the next few days and weeks. If a ring-shaped reddening of the skin develops, those affected should consult their family doctor." This could be a sign of Lyme disease.

While Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics, there are vaccinations against TBE. The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends this for people in risk areas who could come into contact with ticks.

In 2024, the number of TBE infections in Saxony had risen to 63 - an increase of almost 30 cases compared to the previous year. Lyme disease cases remained at a similar level to 2023 with 1,630 cases.