Tick-Borne Threats in Europe: From Epidemiology to the Impact of Vaccination
A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 21
Special Issue Editors
Interests: vaccine-preventable diseases; infectious disease epidemiology; tick-borne diseases
Interests: immunology; tick-borne infections; vaccine implementation
2. Institute for Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland
Interests: vaccinology; public health surveillance; infectious disease epidemiology
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Tick-borne diseases, particularly Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), represent an increasing public health threat in Europe. In recent years, the geographic range of endemic areas for Lyme borreliosis and TBE has expanded and the number of surveillance-reported cases of Lyme borreliosis and TBE have increased in several European countries. Fortunately, vaccines are available or are under development for the prevention of Lyme borreliosis and TBE. Our aim in launching this Special Issue is to describe the epidemiology of Lyme borreliosis and TBE, particularly the public health burden of these diseases, and to report on efforts to prevent these tick-borne diseases, including addressing challenges in enhancing vaccine uptake and complying with national recommendations on vaccine use.
Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are growing public health concerns across Europe, with clear increases in disease burden documented in several countries. Both diseases are potentially preventable with vaccination. Safe and effective TBE vaccines have been available and widely used in Europe for many years, while candidate vaccines for the prevention of Lyme borreliosis are currently under development. Rigorous epidemiological data are essential in understanding the burden of these diseases, informing discussions on the potential use of vaccines, and supporting activities and overcome obstacles for disease prevention. Furthermore, such data are also vitally important in evaluating the public health impact of preventive measures, including vaccines, against these diseases.
This Special Issue will focus on the epidemiology of Lyme borreliosis and TBE, particularly on the public health burden of these diseases. It will also explore the impact of preventive measures, including vaccines, against Lyme disease and TBE and its current and future challenges for implementation. This Special Issue is open to all researchers involved in research on Lyme disease and TBE in Europe. Original research articles, reviews, and case reports are welcome.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Frederick J. Angulo
Dr. Andreas Pilz
Dr. Kyra Zens
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- tick-borne diseases
- epidemiology
- prevention
- vaccines
- public health impact
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