Overview

• In 2023, Germany recorded 19 deaths from tick-borne diseases: nine from FSME (tick-borne encephalitis) and ten from Borreliose (Lyme disease).
• Hospitalizations for FSME reached 600 cases in 2023, reflecting a long-term upward trend, while Borreliose cases declined to 5,400 over the past two decades.
• FSME vaccination rates remain low at approximately 19%, despite recommendations for residents in over 180 risk districts, including Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
• Borreliose can be effectively treated with early antibiotics, but untreated cases may lead to irreversible complications and late-stage symptoms.
• Year-round tick activity, driven by milder temperatures, has expanded geographic risk zones and increased public health challenges in Germany.