Many diagnoses in the Northeast Netherlands
Since 1994, RIVM has conducted a survey among general practitioners every four to five years to map out the number of Lyme diagnoses. This number increased with each poll. At the last measurement, from 2021, this trend changed and the number of diagnoses of a red spot or ring remained the same. The figure below shows the number of Lyme diagnoses per municipality, with a red spot or ring per 100,000 inhabitants in 1994, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2014, 2017 and 2021. For more information per municipality, see Tekenradar.nl.
The highest number of diagnoses per 100,000 inhabitants was found in municipalities in the north and east of the Netherlands, especially in Drenthe and Groningen. It is also important to check for tick bites in other parts of the Netherlands. Every year about 1.5 million ticks bite someone in the Netherlands. In about two to three out of a hundred people with a tick bite, this leads to Lyme complaints.
Decrease in GP visits
The number of tick bite consultations with the GP was much lower in 2021 than during the previous measurement. This may be related to the general decrease in GP visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The stabilization of the number of Lyme diagnoses with a red spot or ring could also be related to the COVID-19 pandemic, for example because people with a red spot went to the GP less quickly. However, this has not been investigated.
Late peak tick bite reports on Tekenradar.nl this year
Op Tekenradar.nl the number of tick bite reports has risen sharply in recent weeks. After an early start to the tick season, the peak of the season falls late this year. Many tick bites are also expected in the coming weeks. So it is now extra important to check for ticks if you have been in the woods, dunes, park or garden. After a visit to the green, do a tick check!
More information
Text: Kees van den Wijngaard, Oda van den Berg, Margriet Harms, RIVM; Arnold VanVliet, Wageningen University & Research
Photos: RIVM; Tekenradar.nl
2023-07-13 08:01:01
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