STRATEGIES FOR THE PRIMARY PREVENTION OF LYME DISEASE

This study aimed to analyze the severity of risks associated specific tick-borne diseases and to identify directions for the development of preventive measures, particularly for Lyme disease. Thus, a detailed literature review was performed to analyze epidemiological data and the latest scientific research in the field of prevention and health education for Lyme disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that it is necessary to increase the level of knowledge and health awareness of individuals living in the highest-risk areas and who travel to countries with endemic vectors. Additional activities of the WHO in the area of vector-borne disease prevention resulted from the adoption of the global vector control response 2017-2030 (GVCR 2017-2030), which focused on diseases transmitted by vectors. At the EU level, activities include the European Emerging and Vector-borne Diseases (EVD) program. At the national level, the basic legal act related to the issue of infectious diseases is the Act of 5 December 2008 on preventing and combating infections and infectious diseases in humans. The main body implementing activities in the field of prevention and health education in Poland is the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS). Creating new ways to implement preventive actions, including those regarding the problem of tick-borne diseases in humans, should take into account a number of factors that determine their effectiveness. The creation of effective educational strategies translates into the effectiveness of prevention efforts and negative social effects.