Belgium Issues Guidance on Tick Bites, Lyme Disease and TBE

Health officials in Belgium remind the public that tick bites can transmit Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, and the rarer tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE). While most bites do not lead to illness, prompt removal of attached ticks—ideally within 12 to 24 hours—significantly reduces infection risk.

People are advised to stay on paths, avoid dense vegetation, wear long sleeves and trousers, tuck pant legs into socks, and use insect‑repellent clothing. After outdoor activities, a thorough tick check of oneself and household members is essential. Any flu‑like symptoms or a expanding red spot at the bite site should be monitored for up to a month, and a doctor should be consulted if they appear.

These measures aim to keep outdoor recreation safe while minimizing the chance of Lyme disease or TBE, which remains very uncommon in Belgium.