Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common tick-borne disease in Europe and USA. Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. The forested area in Ukraine is 9.4 million ha, or 15.6% of the total land area. Since forests and woods are preferred ecosystems of ticks, the risk of contacting diseases transmitted by ticks is higher among forestry workers, farmers and other people working in wooded areas.

According to the Order of the Minister of Health of Ukraine N133 of 19.07.1995, Lyme borreliosis is officially classified as a group of especially dangerous infections. However, in Ukraine Lyme borreliosis is not officially recognized as an occupational disease, and thus forestry workers do not receive appropriate social security coverage.

Registration of Lyme disease in Ukraine began with 2000. The incidence of this disease in the country is growing every year, with 58 cases reported in 2000, until 3728 cases in 2016.