Austria sees 20,000 annual Lyme borreliosis cases

A new study published in the ‘International Journal of Infectious Diseases’ reveals that approximately 20,000 people in Austria require medical treatment for Lyme borreliosis annually. Of these cases, roughly 900 result in hospitalizations, which equates to one hospital stay per 10,000 inhabitants.

Because Lyme borreliosis is not a reportable disease, the true scale of infections in Austria had previously been unclear. The study, funded by Pfizer and the Austrian vaccine manufacturer Valneva, analyzed hospital data from 2015 to 2023.

Lyme borreliosis is caused by Borrelia bacteria transmitted through tick bites. In Austria, about one in four ticks carries the bacteria. The disease is most prevalent in July and August, with regional hotspots identified in Carinthia and Burgenland. While 85 percent of cases present with a characteristic ring-shaped rash known as erythema migrans, untreated infections can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system. Children and the elderly are noted as particularly vulnerable groups.