Increase in Lyme disease infections in Saxony

Saxony is currently registering an increase in Lyme disease cases after tick bites

08/06/2014

More than 536 people are suffering from Lyme disease in Saxony until the middle of July. This reports the State Institute for Health and Veterinary (LUA). Accordingly, the number of those affected is significantly higher than in the previous year. According to Sachsenforst, more animals have survived due to the mild winter.

Lyme disease infections are rapidly increasing in Saxony
„However, only about 20 percent of all ticks Borrelia carry in itself, a small part is transmitted while suckling“, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health told the news agency „dpa“. Many ticks were able to survive and multiply due to the mild winter and warm spring. According to the ministry, there were 920 Lyme disease infections in 2012, and in 2013 the number of cases increased to 1,325. The most affected was the county Saxon Switzerland-Ore Mountains with 264 diseases, followed by the city of Dresden with 219 Lyme disease infections. In addition, more than 100 cases occurred in the areas of Meissen, Görlitz and Erzgebirge.

In addition to Lyme disease, ticks can also transmit the dangerous tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). So far, the LUA registered six such cases in Saxony. TBE attacks the nervous system, the brain, the meninges and the spinal cord. In the case of severe cases, affected persons may experience symptoms such as severe pain, impaired consciousness, paralysis or respiratory paralysis. The Vogtland was declared the first district in Saxony to the FSME risk area.

No vaccine against Lyme disease possible
While there is no vaccine against Lyme disease, people living in the risk areas outdoors can protect themselves from FSME thanks to a vaccine. If Lyme disease is recognized in time, antibiotic therapy is usually successful.

Lyme disease can be associated with various ailments. Thus, only the so-called Wanderröte clearly indicates an infection that does not always occur. For example, some patients suffer from difficulty concentrating, muscle and joint pain, tiredness and headache. Due to the non-specific symptoms, only a blood test gives information about a possible infection with Borrelia.

The Department of Health advises individuals who have been outdoors in the risk areas to subsequently scan their bodies for ticks. In addition, should in field, forest and meadow
long and light clothes are worn. (Ag)