Poland faces unprecedented tick invasion. fresh medical data indicate a dramatic increase in the number of diseases transmitted by these arachnids, and experts inform that 2025 period may be the worst in many years. Climate change, mild winters and rising temperatures make ticks active almost all year round, which translates into a evidence number of infections.
Alarming Statistics: Diseases Grow in Express Speed
Data from the National Institute of Public wellness PZH show a dramatic image of the epidemiological situation in Poland. In 2023, as many as 659 cases of tick encephalitis were reported in Poland, which represents a crucial increase compared to erstwhile years – 445 cases in 2022 and 265 in 2019. That means almost 2-fold increase in just 4 years.
Even more worrying are the data on Lyme disease. Over 25,000 cases of Lyme illness were reported in 2023. That's almost twice as much as in 2022. Additionally, only in the first half of 2024 there were 9134 cases. According to the compilations that the National Institute of Public wellness PZH runs, there were 1420 more (18.4%) than in the same period of 2023.
In 2022 we recorded 445 cases of KZM, in 2023 – 659, and 2024 we closed with 793 cases – these figures clearly show a worrying growth trend, which may mean that 2025 will indeed be a evidence year in terms of the number of cases.
Why do ticks become an expanding threat?
The main culprit of this situation is Climate change. Due to the warm winters, tick feeding times may extend depending on temperature. As a consequence of climate change, ticks are much more active, besides outside the typical tick season, which is late autumn and early spring.
Mild winters affect the population of tiny rodents, but these have a direct effect on the tick population due to the fact that they are their first hosts. This creates a dangerous biological chain in which all warm winter period translates into more ticks in the following season.
Worse still, they have been active since March, and the warm winters only prolong their feeding season. In practice, this means that ticks are dangerous to both humans and animals. In spite of appearances, they can be found not only in the forest, but actually everywhere and throughout the year.
When and where are the ticks most active?
Medical experts clearly specify periods of peculiar danger. It is assumed that the highest of yearly tick activity is May-June and September-October. These spiders start their activity early in the spring, reaching 2 distinct peaks: the first is at the turn of May and June, the second is in September and October.
However, tick period usually starts at the turn of March/April and lasts until November, and in any cases may last even longer. During the day, ticks are the most active from the first dew to the south, which means that morning walks in forests and parks carry a peculiar risk.
Threat Geography: Which regions are the most dangerous?
The geographical distribution of infected ticks in Poland is not uniform. The most infected tick illness is in the east and central parts of the country, sometimes up to 60-70 percent. This means that residents of voivodships specified as Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, Lubline or Świętokrzyskie are in a peculiar hazard zone.
However, it is worth noting that the plague of ticks in Poland not only in green areas, but increasingly besides in city centres (e.g. Krakow). This is simply a fundamental change in the thought of ticks as a threat connected exclusively with forests and agrarian areas.
Diseases carried by ticks: what happens after a sting?
The ticks are vectors of many dangerous diseases, 2 of which are peculiarly dangerous to humans:
Lyme disease – the most common tick illness in Poland. Only 0.5 to 1.5% of people stabbed by ticks will get sick, but the number of cases is expanding systematically. The illness may lead to serious neurological, cardiac and joint complications if it is not detected and treated early enough.
Tick encephalitis (KZM) – a much rarer but much more dangerous disease. It's a serious illness that can lead to permanent neurological complications. As there is no effective treatment of KZM, the only effective form of protection remains vaccination.
Prevention and protection: how to defend yourself from ticks?
In the face of an expanding threat, prevention becomes crucial. Medical experts recommend:
Vaccinations against KZM – Experts call for urgent prevention, especially during the period of increased tick activity. This is the only effective method of protection against tick encephalitis.
Appropriate clothing – long trousers, long sleeve shirts and advanced shoes should be worn during walks in green areas. Bright colors make it easier to place ticks.
Repellents – usage of tick repellents for skin and clothing.
Regular checks – After returning from the green areas, you should check the full body thoroughly, paying peculiar attention to places where the skin is thin (palpits, crotch area, behind the ears).
Quick removal of tick – If it occurs to prick, the tick should be removed as shortly as possible with peculiar pliers or tweezers, grabbing it as close to the skin as possible.
Doctor warnings: “The situation is unprecedented”
Doctors and epidemiologists don't hide their anxiety. In fresh years, tick encephalitis (KZM) has increased respective times, warns experts. The dynamics of growth is so advanced that any experts are even talking about “epidemia” of tick-borne diseases.
However, not all infected tick has to transfer the infection to a human. We request to take a reasonable approach to the fact that the tick bite, there is nothing to panic over – the experts calm down, while stressing the importance of fast reaction and appropriate prevention.
Future prospects: Will things improve?
Forecasts for the coming years are not optimistic. Climate change, which is the main origin of tick activity, will increase. Experts point out that climate change is primarily liable for this growth, and these will not vanish very soon.
However, scientists are working on fresh solutions. Centers for illness Control and Prevention, CDC) estimates that there are around 300,000 cases in the United States each year, and that there may be respective 100 1000 in Europe each year, mobilizing the global technological community for intensive work on the vaccine against disease.
The tick situation in Poland in 2025 requires decisive action from both the wellness strategy and the individual work of citizens. Dramatic increase in the number of diseases – almost three-fold increase in KZM over 5 years and twice increase in Lyme illness year to year – clearly shows the scale of the problem.
A conscious approach to the threat is crucial: vaccination against KZM, appropriate prevention during outdoor remainder and fast reaction in case of tick sting. In the face of climate change, which will proceed to drive tick activity, only comprehensive action can halt this worrying growth trend.
Experts are right – 2025 may indeed be the worst tick period in years. The question is: are we prepared for this?
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Dramatic increase in tick activity in Poland. Experts inform of the worst period in years
