Borrelia are bacteria that can cause long-lasting symptoms in humans. Over 30 percent of the common wood tick; the most common tick species in Central and Northern Europe, are infected with Borrelia.
As a result of climate change, ticks have spread. The altitude limit of 1,000 meters above sea level has long ceased to exist. Individual sites are higher than 1,500 meters above sea level. If the temperature and humidity are right, ticks can be active all year round.
In Austria, Lyme borreliosis is a frequently diagnosed disease: estimates range from 25,000 to 70,000 people contract the disease each year. Most cases are observed in spring and summer, when people spend more time outdoors and are bitten more often by ticks.
