Tick season begins in Latvia

In Latvia, with the onset of warmer weather, the tick activity season begins. Ticks become active when the air temperature exceeds +3 to +5 °C, and their activity period usually lasts from April to late autumn. They are found not only in forests, but also in parks, gardens and other places in the urban environment, so every resident should be careful when spending time in nature.

Analyzing epidemiological surveillance data, it is clear that the incidence of tick-borne diseases remains high in Latvia. In 2025, 186 cases of tick-borne encephalitis were registered, which was 20 cases more than the year before. The number of Lyme disease cases in Latvia is significantly higher than the number of tick-borne encephalitis cases every year. In 2025, doctors reported 539 cases of the disease, which was 180 cases more than in 2024.   

SPKC data also show marked regional differences – in some regions of Latvia, the incidence is several times higher than the national average. However, Latvia as a whole is still considered a high-risk area for tick-borne diseases, which are a current public health problem in the country.

https://www.spkc.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/spkc-sakas-ercu-aktivitates-sezona-saslimstibas-dati-apliecina-augstu-risku-latvija