Lyme disease cases in Czechia reach record high since 1986

Doctors in Czechia have recorded 7,994 cases of Lyme disease by the end of September, the highest number since records began in 1986, according to the National Institute of Public Health. Nearly 600 people have also contracted tick-borne encephalitis. Experts warn the numbers may rise by up to a third in autumn, as ticks remain active until temperatures drop below five degrees Celsius. Untreated Lyme disease can lead to long-term health problems such as meningitis or nerve damage, while tick-borne encephalitis can cause paralysis or cognitive difficulties. Vaccines exist only for encephalitis; antibiotics remain the main treatment for Lyme disease.