Kirov Region leads in the number of tick bites: the 2026 season promises to be record-breaking.

      Experts predict that the tick season in 2026 will be highly active, especially in the central part of Russia. The reason is the warm winter with heavy snowfall, which did not allow the soil to freeze deeply, contributing to the high survival and population of parasites.

      Risk figures and regions

      According to statistics collected from citizen reports, the distribution of bite cases by region is as follows:

      Kirov Region — 26%

      Altai Krai — 17%

      Krasnoyarsk Krai — 12%

      Tomsk Region — 10%

      Yaroslavl Region — 9%

      Novosibirsk Region — 8%

      Although the official list of endemic areas for tick-borne encephalitis includes 49 regions and remains stable, the high number of ticks increases the risk of bites even outside traditional zones, reports Volga.News.

      Who gets bitten more often

      Analysis of reports shows that about 62% of the victims are people of working age from 30 to 74 years old. At the same time, ticks most often attack men — they account for 81% of cases.

      The dynamics of recent years also show a steady increase in the number of bites among children under 18. This requires special attention: children's immunity is more vulnerable, and the consequences of infections such as tick-borne encephalitis or borreliosis (Lyme disease) can be severe and have long-term effects.

      What to do during tick season

      Experts remind us of simple but important precautions. They advise using repellents and wearing closed light-colored clothing, on which ticks are easier to spot. And regularly check yourself and children after walks in nature.

      In case of a bite, seek medical help in a timely manner and submit the removed tick for laboratory testing.

      Residents of endemic regions, including the Kirov Region, should be especially vigilant. Doctors recommend taking care of vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis in advance — this is the most reliable way to protect yourself.