Lithuania reported record number of Lyme disease cases in 2024

According to recent research, the Baltic region is Europe’s most affected by Lyme borreliosis (LB), also known as Lyme disease. National incidences of this common tick-borne disease are very high in Estonia and Lithuania, followed by those of other regional countries like Poland, Latvia, and Finland. Lithuania, for example, recorded 15,254 cases of Lyme disease in 2024, a 500% increase from 2022. According to LRT, however, this increase is likely tied to better reporting methods and more accurate diagnostic practices than to a real spike in infections. From 2024, disease registration data will be directly collected and reported by an electronic system, reducing traditional mistakes or omissions by healthcare providers. Moreover, previous LB infections do not provide immunity against the disease, meaning the same person can be reinfected several times.
No vaccine for Lyme disease is currently available, although an innovative vaccine candidate is conducting clinical research this year.