The disease can be found mainly in Europe, North America and temperate Asia. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. This rash occurs in approximately 60–80% of infected persons and begins at the site of a tick bite after a delay of 3–30 days.

Yes, Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) is a significant and growing public health problem in Europe in 2026. It is the most common vector-borne disease on the continent, with high-incidence "hotspots" in Central and Northern Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Estonia, and the Czech Republic. Due to warmer winters and climate change, tick populations (primarily Ixodes ricinus) have expanded into higher altitudes and further north into Scandinavia. In 2026, cases are estimated to exceed 200,000 annually across the continent. Travelers hiking in forested or grassy areas are advised to wear repellent, tuck their trousers into their socks, and perform "tick checks" immediately after outdoor activity. While a human vaccine (VLA15) is in the final stages of approval in late 2026, early prevention remains the most effective defense against the long-term neurological and joint complications associated with the disease.