Lyme borreliosis in humans and dogs: One Health perspective

Abstract

Epidemiological and statistical methods were used to analyze the epidemiological situation regarding Lyme borreliosis in humans and domestic dogs in Ukraine. The data of the Central Health Service of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine on the incidence of Lyme borreliosis in humans over the last 20 years of passive epidemiological observation (2003–2022) were analyzed, and time trends and seasonal dynamics of incidence were studied. The prevalence of Lyme borreliosis among domestic dogs over the last decade (2013–2022) was analyzed based on data from a survey of veterinarians. Cross-regional geographic trends in the prevalence of Lyme borreliosis in humans and domestic dog populations are compared. The obtained data indicate an increasing trend in the incidence of Lyme borreliosis in Ukraine over the past two decades. The peak of incidence was recorded in 2018 – 12.77 cases per 100,000 population. Over the 5 years, from 2018 to 2022, Ukraine experienced the highest level of Lyme disease incidence, which was 45.16 cases per 100,000 population and statistically higher than the incidence rates in 2003–2007 (2.86 cases per 100,000 population) and 2008–2012 (13.33 cases per 100,000 population), confirming a trend of increasing disease prevalence over the years. Seasonal dynamics are observed, with the highest incidence rates occurring during the summer months, especially in June, July, August, and the early autumn month of September, as indicated by a seasonal disease index exceeding one. The study revealed geographical variations in the prevalence of Lyme borreliosis among both humans and domestic dogs. Over the past 10 years, from 2013 to 2022, regions of Northern and Central Ukraine, including Kyiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia, and Poltava oblasts, have shown relatively higher rates of Lyme borreliosis in both humans and domestic dogs. Conversely, the southern regions of Ukraine consistently report lower incidence rates of Lyme borreliosis in both populations, especially in Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson oblasts. The similarity of the geographical distribution of Lyme borreliosis among humans and domestic dogs is confirmed statistically. The study findings highlight the growing public health burden of Lyme borreliosis and the importance of ongoing disease surveillance. In addition, they highlight the valuable contribution of veterinary data on the incidence of Lyme borreliosis in domestic dogs, providing a passive but important source of additional information. In addition, the study results provide valuable information on the geographic distribution of Lyme borreliosis in both humans and domestic dogs, which will aid in the development of targeted intervention strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of the disease in selected high-risk regions. A deeper understanding of the epidemiological aspects of the disease will contribute to the development of science-based strategies for the prevention and control of Lyme borreliosis, in accordance with the concept of One Health.