If you live somewhere where ticks are common, you probably have tick-borne diseases on your radar. Unfortunately, the prevalence of infections from ticks is growing as their habitats widen and their seasons go longer – largely thanks to climate change.
Climate change aside, ticks can be found in many other places besides the U.S. In fact, ticks can be found worldwide – including in Europe. Whether you live in Europe, have family there, or are planning on traveling there, you want to be aware of any potential health risks you may be exposed to. That includes tick-borne diseases. Is there Lyme disease in Europe? What about other tick-borne diseases?
Lyme Disease Overview
Lyme borreliosis is most commonly caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, which in the U.S. is usually transmitted by the Eastern blacklegged or Western blacklegged tick. While most cases can be treated with antibiotics, infections can potentially lead to long-term complications like Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome or chronic Lyme disease.
Some of the most common symptoms of Lyme disease include:
- Fatigue
- Muscle and joint aches
- Fever
- Headache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Erythema migrans, also known as a “bull’s eye rash”
Lyme Disease in Europe
Is Lyme disease also prevalent in Europe? Yes, although it’s not as common as it is in the U.S. Approximately 200,000 cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed and treated per year in western Europe, compared to approximately 476,000 in the U.S.
Lyme disease in Europe is most prevalent in the northern hemisphere in the Baltic and Scandinavian states, and in Germany, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Austria. A critical difference between Lyme disease in Europe and the U.S. is the species of Borrelia bacteria present. The two strains that cause the most infections in Europe, B. afzelii and B. garinii, are not as prevalent in the U.S.
Lyme Disease in Europe vs. The U.S.
Another rare, but potential complication of a Lyme infection is Lyme neuroborreliosis, or neurological Lyme disease. Lyme neuroborreliosis is when Lyme disease progresses to a neurological condition that is exacerbated by Lyme-causing bacteria invading the central nervous system. Lyme neuroborreliosis leads to psychiatric and neurological symptoms.
Symptoms and prevalence of Lyme neuroborreliosis also vary between the U.S. and Europe. The most common symptom of early Lyme neuroborreliosis in the U.S. is facial nerve palsy; in Europe, it’s radicular pain. However, it’s not just symptoms; the bacteria that cause neurological symptoms are also different between the two regions.
There are also different long-term effects between Europe and the U.S. In Europe, late Lyme neuroborreliosis can include symptoms like encephalitis (swelling of the brain), myelitis (swelling of the spinal cord), and encephalomyelitis (swelling in the brain and spinal cord). These symptoms are sporadic in the U.S.
Another symptom that is different between the U.S. and Europe is Lyme arthritis, which is less common in Europe. Although less common, the onset of Lyme arthritis may happen quicker in European populations.
Other Tick-Borne Diseases in Europe
While Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the U.S. and Europe, it’s not the only one out there. Similar to the U.S., ticks can be found in woodlands throughout temperate regions in Europe, typically in early spring to late autumn. The main tick vector for these diseases is the Ixodes ricinus and I. persulcatus.
Outside of Lyme disease, you can also find these tick-borne diseases in Europe:
- Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF)
- Babesiosis
- Bartonellosis
- Anaplasmosis
- Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)
- Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF)
- Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF)
In what European countries are tick-borne diseases most commonly found? CCHF was first found in Crimea and has spread through Eastern Europe and Africa. TBE is more common in central and eastern Europe, including the Baltic and Nordic regions. Similarly, MSF is found throughout the Mediterran ean basin in Europe. TBRF, on the other hand, is most common in western Europe, Spain, and Portugal – specifically in the Iberian Peninsula.
It’s not just humans in Europe being affected by tick-borne diseases. Another growing infection, Theileria, is a parasite transmitted by ticks that affects cattle and is widespread throughout southern Europe. Theileria has also been found in the U.S. Contact with infected cattle does not pose a risk to humans, but people can be infected by ticks carrying Theileria.
European Tick-Borne Disease and Travel
If you’re planning on traveling to Europe, you want to be as proactive as possible when it comes to protecting yourself from infectious diseases. Your first step is to be aware of what areas ticks are common, and what infections you may be exposed to.
Be sure to take steps to protect yourself against tick bites when traveling (and at home):
- Wear light-colored clothing, with long sleeves and pants.
- Tuck pants into high socks.
- Wear long hair up in a ponytail.
- Use bug spray containing at least 20% DEET or an essential oil combination like lemon, eucalyptus, and citronella.
- Stay on paths and trails when hiking.
There are some special precautions you should also take while traveling:
- Buy bug spray ahead of time – it can be hard to find while traveling.
- Consider getting travel insurance in case of any medical emergencies.
- Treat your hiking clothes with tick-repelling permethrin before traveling (you can put these in a plastic bag).
- Thoroughly check yourself and anyone you’re traveling with after potentially being exposed to ticks.
- Pack tweezers just in case for proper tick removal.
Tick bites do happen, and sometimes they happen while traveling. If you or someone you’re traveling with happens to get a tick bite, make yourself aware of what tick-testing services are available near you and take the tick itself to be tested as well. If you experience symptoms or need further testing when back home, IGeneX offers the most comprehensive and accurate tick testing services in the U.S.
