The Second Peak of Tick Activity Begins in Autumn
For many people, autumn means spending time outdoors – heading into the woods to pick mushrooms and berries, tending gardens, or simply enjoying a walk in nature. Specialists at the National Public Health Centre under the Ministry of Health (NPHC) remind the public that autumn marks the beginning of the second peak of tick activity, meaning that the risk of tick-borne diseases remains high.
“Autumn tick activity is linked to their life cycle. After feeding in spring, ticks move on to the next stage of development and begin seeking another opportunity to feed. They remain active when the average daily air temperature is around 5–7 °C or higher. Therefore, in autumn, when people spend more time outdoors picking mushrooms and berries or tending their surroundings, it is important to remember to protect yourself against ticks,” says Milda Žygutienė, chief specialist at the NPHC Communicable Disease Management Division.
According to NPHC data, 380 cases of tick-borne encephalitis, including four deaths, were reported in Lithuania from January to August 2026. During the same period in 2025, 438 cases and three deaths were recorded.
During the first eight months of this year, 8,164 cases of Lyme disease were reported in Lithuania. In the same period of 2025, 10,017 cases were recorded.
Vaccination Is Available Year-Round
Tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease are two different tick-borne diseases. Tick-borne encephalitis is caused by a virus that can affect the central nervous system, while Lyme disease is caused by bacteria. Vaccination provides the most reliable protection against tick-borne encephalitis. There is currently no vaccine against Lyme disease, so it is important to prevent tick bites and remove any attached ticks as soon as possible.
The most effective protection against tick-borne encephalitis is vaccination. Vaccination is recommended for everyone, particularly those who frequently spend time outdoors. Vaccines can be administered according to either a standard or an accelerated schedule. Under the standard schedule, the first two doses are given 1–3 months apart, while the intervals between subsequent doses depend on the recommendations of the specific vaccine manufacturer. After three doses, reliable protection is established, with booster doses required later to maintain immunity.
If you do not remember when you were last vaccinated, you can check your vaccination records through the e. sveikata health portal or by contacting your healthcare provider.
In autumn, when ticks become active again, people often wonder whether they can be vaccinated if they have already been bitten by a tick.
“A tick bite is not a reason to postpone or stop vaccination. If you have already started the vaccination course, you can continue it, while people who have not yet been vaccinated can also receive the vaccine after a tick bite. It is important to understand that the vaccine will not protect against tick-borne encephalitis if infection has already occurred as a result of that particular tick bite. However, starting vaccination now can help protect against possible infection in the future,” explains Milda Žygutienė.
Please note that residents aged 50–60 can receive state-funded vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis. Others can be vaccinated at their own expense at a healthcare facility or another provider offering vaccination services.
How Can You Reduce the Risk?
When going into the woods or spending time outdoors, it is recommended to wear light-coloured clothing with long sleeves and cuffs that fit snugly around the wrists, while trouser legs should fit closely around the ankles. It is also advisable to cover your head with a scarf or wear a close-fitting hat or hood. The use of repellents – substances that repel ticks and other arthropods – is also recommended.
While outdoors, it is important to regularly check yourself and others for ticks and remove any ticks found crawling on clothing immediately. If you find an attached tick, remove it as soon as possible: do not squeeze the tick’s body; grasp it as close to the skin as possible and pull it upwards with a quick, steady movement. Do not apply oil, grease, or other liquids to an attached tick. After removing the tick, disinfect the bite site.
After a tick bite, it is recommended to monitor your health and the bite site for about one month. If the area develops an expanding or spreading redness, or if you develop a fever or feel unwell, you should seek medical attention.
Last updated: 24-09-2026
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