Polish health officials warn of rising tick‑borne disease risks

Polish health authorities highlighted the danger of rare tick‑borne diseases after confirming a case of tularemia in a 38‑year‑old resident of Głogów, Lower Silesia. The infection, caused by the bacterium *Francisella tularensis*, can be fatal if not diagnosed early, with untreated mortality estimated between 10 % and 50 %. Early detection and antibiotic treatment are essential.

In a separate briefing at the University Children’s Clinical Hospital in Białystok, experts warned that tick activity is expanding beyond forests into urban parks and gardens, driven by milder winters. In 2025 Poland recorded over 900 cases of tick‑borne encephalitis, a 16 % increase from the previous year, while vaccination coverage remains below a few percent. Prof. Joanna Zajkowska and Dr. Kacper Emil Toczyłowski urged greater public education, personal protective measures, and wider use of the available vaccine to prevent severe outcomes such as paralysis, respiratory failure, and long‑term cognitive deficits.