PL EN
RESEARCH PAPER
Lyme disease in Poland in 2024
 
More details
Hide details
1
Zakład Epidemiologii Chorób Zakaźnych i Nadzoru, Narodowy Instytut Zdrowia Publicznego PZH – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy
 
2
Zakład Epidemiologii Chorób Zakaźnych i Nadzoru, Narodowy Instytut Zdrowia Publicznego PZH – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy
 
 
Submission date: 2026-07-21
 
 
Final revision date: 2026-10-19
 
 
Acceptance date: 2026-11-02
 
 
Online publication date: 2026-11-05
 
 
Corresponding author
Jakub Maciej Zbrzeżniak   

Zakład Epidemiologii Chorób Zakaźnych i Nadzoru, Narodowy Instytut Zdrowia Publicznego PZH – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, Chocimska 24, 00-791 Warszawa
 
 
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Background: Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato spirochetes, is the most common tick-borne infectious disease in Europe. The condition is characterised by a varied clinical course and diagnostic challenges, particularly during the early stage of infection. The rising number of cases underscores the need for effective prevention. Objective: The aim of this study is to discuss the epidemiological situation of Lyme disease in Poland in 2024 compared to previous years. Material and methods: To assess the epidemiological situation of Lyme disease in Poland, data submitted to the National Institute of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene – National Research Institute by the Voivodeship Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations and published in the annual bulletin: "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2024" were used. Results: In 2024, 29,897 cases of Lyme disease were recorded, corresponding to an incidence rate of 79.6 per 100,000 population, with 1,072 hospitalisations due to the disease. Cases and the incidence rate increased by 18.2% and 18.6%, respectively, compared with the previous year. A seasonal pattern in the occurrence of borreliosis is evident across the quarters: the number of cases rose from 2,218 in Q1 to 13,449 in Q3, before falling to 7,263 in Q4. The highest incidence rates were recorded in the Podlaskie (134.2 per 100,000 population), Małopolskie (132 per 100,000 population), and Warmińsko-Mazurskie (108.6 per 100,000 population) voivodeships. Conclusions: The number of Lyme disease cases reported in 2024 was higher than in the previous year and exceeded the levels recorded in Poland prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although neuroborreliosis accounted for only 1.4% of all Lyme disease cases, it was responsible for 36.7% of all cases of bacterial meningitis and/or encephalitis in 2024. The seasonality of Lyme disease remained consistent, with a peak in incidence during the third quarter (Q3) and a decline in the fourth quarter (Q4). As in previous years, the eastern part of Poland, specifically the Podlaskie, Małopolskie, and Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeships, recorded the highest incidence rates.
FUNDING
The work was carried out as part of task No. S.1.BE.1.26
eISSN:2545-1898
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top