Lyme disease is caused by different strains of the bacterium Borrelia sp. (B. burgdorferi, B. afzelii, B. garinii) If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. No vaccine against Borreliosis is currently available, so tick awareness, appropriate clothing in tick-infested areas, and early removal of attached ticks remain the most important prevention measures.

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected ticks.

Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans and can eventually lead to dermatological, cardiological, musculoskeletal, and neurological manifestations. Early signs may also include more nonspecific symptoms such as headaches and neck stiffness, high temperature, tiredness, severe joint pain and facial palsy.