Knowledge Suva records sharp increase in tick bites in Switzerland
More and more people in Switzerland are being bitten by ticks. According to an extrapolation, Suva recorded almost 18,000 cases in 2025, as the accident insurance company announced on Wednesday. The figure was only higher in 2020.
15.04.2026, 10:05
SDA
While around 9,000 cases were registered annually between 2005 and 2009, this figure had already risen to over 14,000 between 2020 and 2024, Suva added. Legally, a tick bite is considered an accident in Switzerland, which is why accident insurance covers the costs.
Ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease or tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). According to Suva, an average of eight people a year are awarded disability pensions as a result of tick bites. Tick bites also cause one death every five years or so.
Most bites, over 90 percent, occur during leisure time, especially between May and July.
The first ticks have already bitten in Switzerland this year too: According to data from the Federal Office of Public Health, over 200 cases of Lyme disease and six cases of TBE were registered in January and February. The data for March and April are not yet available.
Suva cites climate change as the reason for the increase: milder temperatures extend the activity period of ticks and encourage them to spread. As a result, the animals could be active almost all year round.
