# Escalating tick activity and disease risk

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/polish-tick-season-and-lyme-disease-risk
> Updated: 2026-08-05T07:37:39.000Z. Sources: 55. Developments: 20.

Health agencies continue to warn that warm, humid weather is boosting tick activity and disease risk across Europe and North America. Guidance issued in late July 2026 stresses staying on trails, wearing long sleeves and pants, tucking trousers into socks, using DEET‑based repellents or permethrin‑treated clothing, and conducting thorough post‑outdoor tick checks.

In Europe, TBE cases surged in Sweden and the Czech Republic, Lyme disease cases doubled in Bulgaria, and Lithuania reported expanding risk into urban green spaces. Polish experts added a new focus on tick nymphs, noting their tiny size makes them easy to miss and that they frequent not only dense woods but also parks, gardens and lawns, prompting recommendations for detailed body inspections after outdoor activities.

In Canada, Ontario recorded 651 Lyme disease cases, 89 anaplasmosis cases and one Powassan virus infection by mid‑July, attributing the rise to milder winters and a longer tick season that have allowed blacklegged ticks to expand northward up to 34 miles per year. The province now classifies these illnesses as reportable to improve surveillance, while continuing to advise tick checks and prompt removal as the primary preventive measures.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-05: Polish health officials warn of rising tick‑borne disease risks

Polish health officials report a tularemia case and a rise in tick‑borne encephalitis, urging early detection, vaccination and protective measures as tick activity spreads to urban areas.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-health-officials-warn-of-rising-tickborne-disease-risks

### 2026-07-25: Polish health agencies warn of hidden danger from tick nymphs

Polish health officials warn that tiny tick nymphs, often mistaken for a freckle, can transmit Lyme disease and other infections, urging thorough skin checks after outdoor activities.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-health-agencies-warn-of-hidden-danger-from-tick-nymphs

### 2026-07-25: Lithuania warns of rising tick‑borne encephalitis risk as season peaks

Lithuania's health agency warns that summer tick activity raises TBE and Lyme disease risk, urging vaccination, protective clothing, repellents and proper tick removal.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lithuania-warns-of-rising-tickborne-encephalitis-risk-as-season-peaks

### 2026-07-24: Ontario sees surge in Lyme disease and anaplasmosis as tick populations expand

Ontario reports 651 Lyme disease and 89 anaplasmosis cases as blacklegged tick numbers rise, driven by milder winters and expanding tick habitats.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ontario-sees-surge-in-lyme-disease-and-anaplasmosis-as-tick-populations-expand

### 2026-07-22: Lyme disease cases double in Bulgaria, 24 new infections reported

Bulgaria recorded 24 new Lyme disease cases in the past week, double the prior month’s count, mainly in Sofia and Gabrovo, with experts linking the rise to wetter weather boosting tick activity.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lyme-disease-cases-double-in-bulgaria-24-new-infections-reported

### 2026-07-20: Tick-borne encephalitis cases rise across Europe, prompting accelerated vaccination

TBE infections are climbing in Sweden (213 cases this summer) and the Czech Republic (40 % rise in Vysočina), linked to warmer climates, prompting accelerated vaccination drives.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-republic-sees-rise-in-tick-borne-encephalitis-cases-health-officials-promote-accelerated-summe

### 2026-07-20: Tick Bite Prevention Tips for Safe Summer Outdoor Activities

Summer tick safety advice: stay on trails, wear protective clothing, use DEET or permethrin repellents, check body after outings, remove ticks with fine tweezers, disinfect bite sites, and watch for disease‑sym

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tick-safety-advice-for-summer-outdoor-activities

### 2026-07-16: Slovenia reports sharp rise in Lyme disease cases as health authorities urge tick‑bite protection

Slovenia's NIJZ reports 1,311 Lyme disease cases in June—up from 820 a year earlier—and urges protective clothing, repellents, and prompt tick removal.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovenia-reports-sharp-rise-in-lyme-disease-cases-as-health-authorities-urge-tickbite-protection

### 2026-07-15: Tick-borne encephalitis cases surge in the Czech Republic

Czech health officials report 733 tick‑borne encephalitis cases in the first half of the year, up from 116 last year; vaccination is urged to control the surge.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tick-borne-encephalitis-cases-surge-in-the-czech-republic

### 2026-07-07: Poland's tick-borne encephalitis cases rise nationwide

Poland reports tick‑borne encephalitis in all 16 regions, 99 % hospitalisation, highest in Podlaskie, Mazowieckie and Warmian‑Masurian, with 1 % mortality and vaccination as the only protection.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polands-tick-borne-encephalitis-cases-rise-nationwide

### 2026-07-02: Tick Concerns Rise in New York Summer Yards

New York residents favor backyards this summer but face rising tick threats, with deer and lone‑star ticks spreading Lyme disease; experts recommend yard trimming, leaf removal, regular checks and professional‑

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tick-concerns-rise-in-new-york-summer-yards

### 2026-06-26: Wielkopolska sees surge in Lyme disease cases before summer

Wielkopolska logged 573 Lyme disease cases Jan‑June 2026, with rising numbers as tick season begins; seven neuroborreliosis cases required hospitalization, prompting health alerts.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wielkopolska-sees-surge-in-lyme-disease-cases-before-summer

### 2026-06-25: Ontario health officials warn of rising tick‑borne disease risk

Ontario warns of expanding tick populations and rising Lyme disease cases, urging protective measures and considering control actions.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ontario-health-officials-warn-of-rising-tickborne-disease-risk

### 2026-06-19: Polish tick season expected to last into late autumn

Poland's warm, humid summer will extend tick activity into late autumn, increasing risk of Lyme disease and encephalitis; experts urge protective measures.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-tick-season-expected-to-last-into-late-autumn

### 2026-06-15: Ontario sees surge in Lyme disease as tick season peaks

Tick activity is rising across Canada, with Ontario reporting a sharp increase in Lyme disease cases—from 144 in 2009 to over 7,000 in 2025—prompting health officials to urge farmers and outdoor enthusiasts to

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ontario-sees-surge-in-lyme-disease-as-tick-season-peaks

### 2026-06-15: Czech Republic sees surge in Lyme disease and tick‑borne illness cases

Tick activity spikes in the Czech Republic, driving a surge in Lyme disease to 11,386 cases and raising TBE concerns amid low regional vaccination rates.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-republic-sees-surge-in-lyme-disease-and-tickborne-illness-cases

### 2026-06-13: Poland alerts public to tick bites and oak moth larvae skin irritations

Polish health officials say ticks attach from low vegetation, not trees, and can spread Lyme disease, while oak moth larvae hairs cause skin irritation and possible respiratory issues, urging protective steps.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-alerts-public-to-tick-bites-and-oak-moth-larvae-skin-irritations

### 2026-06-11: Ontario and Wisconsin report heightened Lyme disease risk as tick activity surges

Ontario and Wisconsin see record Lyme disease cases and peak tick activity, prompting health alerts, prevention advice, and surveillance efforts.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ontario-and-wisconsin-report-heightened-lyme-disease-risk-as-tick-activity-surges

### 2026-06-03: Poland's Wrocław County launches boreliosis prevention program as experts detail tick transmission

Experts detail how ticks spread Lyme disease, and Wrocław County in Poland starts a 2026‑2028 program to prevent boreliosis and raise public awareness.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polands-wrocaw-county-launches-boreliosis-prevention-program-as-experts-detail-tick-transmission

### 2026-05-19: Poland sees record tick season, experts warn of rising Lyme risk

Poland’s tick season 2024 is unusually severe, with rising Lyme cases; experts advise preventive measures.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-sees-record-tick-season-experts-warn-of-rising-lyme-risk

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Cite as: Escalating tick activity and disease risk. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/polish-tick-season-and-lyme-disease-risk