Aug 10, 2026

Czechia Sees Lyme Disease Surge With 90 New Cases a Day

Prague Morning

Lyme disease cases are rising sharply across the Czech Republic, with more than 8,000 infections recorded since the beginning of the year.

Health officials warn that the summer peak may not have arrived yet.

A total of 8,108 cases were reported through the end of July, according to data from the Czech State Institute of Health (SZÚ). July alone accounted for 2,792 infections, meaning that roughly one in three cases recorded so far this year occurred during the month.

Doctors registered an average of about 90 new cases each day in July.

The figures are significantly higher than those seen in previous years. Between January and July, the Czech Republic typically recorded between 1,500 and 2,000 Lyme disease cases.

Part of the increase may be linked to a change in the way infectious diseases are reported.

The number of tick-borne infections depends on several factors, including tick populations and seasonal weather conditions. Climate change is also playing an increasingly important role.

The highest numbers of Lyme disease infections have so far been reported in the Central Bohemian and South Moravian regions.

The risk is not limited to forests and countryside. Prague’s parks and wooded areas can also provide suitable conditions for ticks.

“Prague’s parks and forest parks create a specific microclimate where ticks thrive, so the risk of infection is real for residents even during an ordinary walk,” said Martina Marešová, head of the anti-epidemic department at the Prague Hygiene Station.

Early treatment can prevent complications

One of the most recognizable signs of Lyme disease is an expanding red rash that develops around the site of a tick bite and may have a paler area in the center.

Anyone who develops such a rash should seek medical attention rather than waiting for it to disappear.

The most common form initially affects the skin. If left untreated, the infection can progress and cause further skin problems. More serious complications can involve the nervous system, heart or eyes.