Search Results (27)

The Carpathian Basin is a coherent biogeographic unit whose wildlife populations and pathogen dynamics are increasingly reshaped by administratively fragmented governance, land-use change and linear infrastructure. This review synthesizes evidence that the permeability patterns governing host movement also structure the transboundary exchange of genes and infections, creating a connectivity substrate for conservation genetics and One Health risk. Focusing on wild boar (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), fallow deer (Dama dama) and the expanding golden jackal (Canis aureus), we integrate population genetic inferences with wildlife epidemiology to examine how highways, border fences and asymmetric management (e.g., supplemental, feeding practices, hunting pressure and surveillance regimes) can generate biological asymmetries across boundaries. We highlight African swine fever as an emblematic disturbance in wild boar populations, discuss cervid risks including tick-borne pathogens and chronic wasting disease (CWD) preparedness and evaluate zoonotic threats associated with carnivore expansion (e.g., Echinococcus spp.). We propose a Carpathian Basin-level monitoring and data-sharing architecture, coupling harmonized passive surveillance, strategic active surveillance for priority pathogens, and standardized genetic marker panels supported by interoperable metadata. A Basin-scale One Health approach is a pragmatic prerequisite for the coordinated prevention, early detection and resilient management of cross-border epizootics and zoonotic threats. Full article

Lyme borreliosis (LB), the most common European tick-borne disease, can manifest as an erythema migrans (EM) rash or as disseminated LB. The prospective Burden of Lyme Disease (BOLD) study evaluated the frequency of LB clinical manifestations, including signs, symptoms, and treatment patterns in 14 healthcare practices in endemic regions of six European countries: the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden. Between April 2021 and December 2022, patients with suspected LB were evaluated using predefined case definitions that were applied by investigators to identify medically attended LB cases. Enrolled cases were interviewed about their symptoms. Among the 797 LB cases, 615 (77.2%) had EM and 182 (22.8%) had disseminated disease; 154 of the disseminated cases had Lyme arthritis (LA), five had Lyme neuroborreliosis, and three had Lyme carditis. Geographically, the proportion of disseminated disease varied by country, from 1.1% in Slovenia to 78.0% in Slovakia. Overall, 76.3% of all LB cases in Slovakia were LA. Antibiotic use varied by country, although every country prescribed doxycycline. The frequency of LB manifestations varied substantially between countries. EM was the most common manifestation in all countries except Slovakia, where LA was most common. This study underscores the need for improved prevention strategies. Full article

West Nile virus (WNV) circulates endemically in Romania, yet prevention of WNV infection in horses largely depends on owner-driven decisions that require accurate risk perception and veterinary guidance. A cross-sectional online survey was carried out between May and November 2025 to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices (KAP) regarding WNV among 227 horse owners from various Romanian regions. In total, 67.4% of respondents had previously heard of WNV. The main transmission route was correctly identified as mosquito bites by 49.8% of participants, while 32.2% answered “don’t know” or presented misconceptions: horse-to-horse contact (9.3%), tick bites (10.6%) and blood transfusion (0.4%). Recognition of clinical signs was limited, with fever (31.3% of respondents) and gait abnormalities or ataxia (24.7% of respondents) being most frequently mentioned, followed by inappetence (19.4% of respondents), seizures (18.1% of respondents), coughing (8.8% of respondents), and abortions (10.6% of respondents); 47.6% of respondents were unable to identify any specific signs. Awareness of the existence of an equine WNV vaccine was reported by 23.8% of respondents, while only 4.0% indicated that their horses had been vaccinated. The most common preventive measures included the use of insecticides in stables (61.2%) and topical repellents on horses (55.5%), whereas environmental control actions such as removing standing water (14.1%) or avoiding swampy areas (11.9%) were less frequent; 19.4% reported taking no preventive measures. Veterinary communication was limited, with only 17.2% of respondents having received information about WNV from a veterinarian, and 21.6% perceiving a real risk of infection in Romania. Overall, the data show a marked disconnect between awareness and actionable prevention (particularly vaccination and environmental mosquito control), indicating that targeted owner education must be paired with structured veterinary communication to translate knowledge into preventive uptake in endemic settings. Full article

Background/Objectives: The 2020 Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines recommend a single 200 mg dose of doxycycline within 72 h of tick removal after a high-risk bite for Lyme disease prophylaxis. However, limited data are available on prescribing practices related to this recommendation in highly endemic Lyme disease areas. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review on adult patients (aged ≥ 18 years) who received a single dose of oral doxycycline for Lyme disease prevention for the period 2022–2024 within a rural Wisconsin health system. Patient and provider prescribing characteristics were evaluated. Manual data abstraction was performed on a random sample of 155 prescribing events to assess adherence to IDSA guidelines. Results: A total of 2404 prophylaxis prescriptions were identified; 44% were prescribed to older adults between 65 and 79 years of age, 54% were prescribed to males, and 66% were prescribed to patients living in rural areas. Prescriptions peaked in spring and summer months, consistent with the known seasonal trends in tick activity. Prescribing was distributed relatively evenly across provider types, with the majority (77%) of cases occurring in outpatient and urgent care settings. Upon manual abstraction, doxycycline was indicated in 12% with the remainder either classified as possibly indicated or not indicated due to suboptimal documentation and nonadherence. Conclusions: Our study identified high rates of incomplete documentation and uncertainty in guideline concordance in a Lyme-endemic health system, highlighting the opportunities to support evidence-based prescribing and to improve documentation practices. Full article

The high incidence of tick-borne diseases (particularly Lyme disease) and the challenges associated with their serious health consequences motivated us to undertake research aimed at developing robust protection against ticks. There is still no effective method for preventing or treating Lyme disease, and humans who spend time outdoors—whether for occupational or recreational purposes—remain unprotected. This paper presents an innovative design of anti-tick textile bands intended for standalone use or integration into protective trousers. The bands are designed to receive repellent-sprayed inserts and provide a barrier layer separating the chemical from the user. In the research, the protective performance of the bands was evaluated using a novel test stand specially constructed for tick repellency testing. Experiments involving live ticks demonstrated the highest effectiveness for bands incorporating an insert impregnated with 20% DEET. Two limitations were noted: peak protection was achieved approx. 15 min after DEET application, and repellent reapplication was required after three hours to maintain protection. These findings are directly relevant to protective equipment design, offering a practical solution for high-risk groups such as forestry workers. By providing an experimentally validated strategy for tick bite prevention, this work addresses an urgent need in occupational and public health. Full article

The Orthoflavivirus genus belongs to the Flaviviridae family. Orthoflaviviruses include major clinically relevant arthropod-borne human viruses such as Dengue, Zika, yellow fever, West Nile and tick-borne encephalitis virus. These viruses pose an increasing threat to global health due to the expansion of arthropod habitats, urbanization, and climate change. While vaccines have been developed for certain orthoflaviviruses with varying levels of success, critical challenges remain in achieving broadly deployable vaccines that combine a robust safety profile with durable immunity against many current and emerging orthoflaviviruses. This review provides a snapshot of established and emerging vaccine platforms against orthoflaviviruses, with a particular emphasis on those leveraging the envelope glycoprotein E as the primary antigen. We examine the strengths and disadvantages of these different platforms in eliciting safe, durable, and robust orthoflavivirus immunity, and discuss how specific attributes such as multivalency, authentic epitope presentations, and logistical practicality can enhance their value in preventing orthoflavivirus infection and disease. Full article

Lyme borreliosis (LB), a zoonotic disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and transmitted by Ixodes ricinus, is increasingly relevant in France, yet data on public awareness and prevention are limited. This cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of companion-animal owners (CAOs) and veterinarians regarding LB. Online questionnaires were distributed between January and April 2023, yielding 159 valid CAO responses and 48 responses from veterinarians. Among owners, 95% reported outdoor access for their pets, 73.9% had observed ticks, and 88.8% used ectoparasiticides. However, only 16.4% reported LB vaccination, and just 38% recognized key canine clinical signs. Veterinarians frequently suspected LB (70%) but confirmed diagnoses less often (39.6%), relying mainly on clinical signs and the results of rapid tests. While prevention through antiparasitic use was common, communication between veterinarians and owners regarding LB was inconsistent. Despite this, most owners reported compliance with veterinary guidance. These findings reveal good preventive habits but identify knowledge gaps and underdiagnosis. Enhancing veterinary–client communication and promoting a One Health approach could improve LB prevention and control in France. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are a significant public health problem and are expanding to formerly naive areas of the United States, such as the lower Midwest. To counter TBDs, many researchers apply the Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices (KAP) model to identify human-level factors that can be activated in campaigns to prevent tick-bites. These studies are, however, almost exclusively conducted in Lyme disease endemic areas of the US. We sought to outline KAPs among residents of a naïve County in southeast Ohio to provide baseline data to inform future educational and communication campaigns. Methods: To identify KAPs before Lyme disease and other TBDs become endemic, we conducted a cross-sectional survey to collect data on exposure to ticks and to examine KAPs regarding TBDs in a non-Lyme-endemic county in Ohio that borders a Lyme-endemic county in West Virginia. Results: Two hundred thirty-one people completed the survey. Most participants reported time spent in places where ticks are common and about half reported having a tick on themselves, but low levels of concern that they would be bitten or contract a TBD. Participants reported high levels of awareness of Lyme disease but low levels of awareness of other TBDs. The perceived seriousness of TBDs was low. Participants reported suboptimal adoption of all TBD-prevention behaviors. The most common barriers were forgetting to perform a preventive practice or not being aware of a preventive practice. Conclusions: These gaps in KAPs provide clear targets for public health communication messages to prevent tick-bites, particularly in non-Lyme-endemic counties in the US. Full article

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease caused by Theileria equi, Theileria haneyi and Babesia caballi. It affects equids, representing significant health and economic concerns for the equine industry. EP is endemic in Portugal, so developing and implementing preventive strategies is essential. Accessing veterinarians’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) through a survey is a suitable approach, and no such studies have been conducted in Portugal until now. A KAP survey was applied to 41 Portuguese equine vets, representing mainly the Alentejo region. The average knowledge score went from medium to high, correctly identifying the causative agents, transmission routes and clinical signs. Knowledge gaps mostly concerned the identification of T. haneyi as an agent, transplacental transmission, duration of infection and diagnostic methods. Reported practices were appropriate overall, including enhancing breeders’ awareness of the disease and its prevention. Diagnostic and treatment protocols were generally consistent with current recommendations; however, these protocols are not yet fully standardized. Our findings highlight key areas where increasing expertise is needed and could serve as a foundation for future evidence-based guidelines to improve EP control in Portugal. Full article

Background: Climate warming and anthropogenic environmental changes impact the spread of ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). This study investigated the occurrence of ticks and the risk of TBPs infection in urban and rural recreational areas in Eastern Poland at record-high temperatures in winter. Methods: Ticks were collected from vegetation using the flagging method. Various types of polymerase chain reactions were applied to detect Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., and Babesia spp. in the studied ticks. Results: 268 ticks were sampled in the four urban/suburban and one rural sites, including 78 Ixodes ricinus specimens and 190 Dermacentor reticulatus ticks. Of the ticks, 49.19% were infected by at least one TBP, including 41.03% of I. ricinus and 63.04% of D. reticulatus specimens. Co-infections with TBPs that involved only I. ricinus were recorded in 6.41% of these ticks. Conclusions: The study indicates that hosts are exposed to tick attacks and TBPs infection in Central Europe at high temperatures in winter. The high activity of ticks may increase the incidence of tick-borne diseases in humans and companion animals. The record’s importance indicates that practical preventive measures against TBPs should be taken due to weather conditions rather than the season. Full article

Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose potential health threats to small-scale farmers of grazing animals in the upper highlands of Balochistan, Pakistan. This study was conducted based on a questionnaire survey involving 153 farmers of grazing animals in seven districts to access their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ticks and TBDs. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, based on Fisher’s test, were used to assess risk factors for determining preventive measures. The findings revealed a low level of knowledge among the participants. For instance, there was a lack of awareness of the effects of climate change and the economic impact of ticks on animal health. The essential precautions, such as the non-indiscriminate use of acaricides, wearing dark-colored clothing, and limiting children’s interaction with grazing animals, were often overlooked. However, the farmers had a positive attitude towards tick control, but they mostly relied on the knowledge of local communities. The neglect of such measures places these farmers and their children at risk of contracting TBDs. This study also indicates minimal involvement from the government in educating farmers and controlling ticks. The role of stakeholders, including the government, non-governmental organizations, veterinary doctors, and local farmer communities, is crucial to address these issues and to implement effective training programs that address misconceptions about ticks and TBDs. Overall, this study highlights the importance of implementing awareness and education programs to address the misconceptions about ticks and TBDs among farmers. Full article

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose a rapidly growing threat to public health. The incidence of TBDs is on the rise, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors beyond demographic considerations. This brief report combines a preliminary review of the literature with geographical case mapping to identify the various factors influencing TBD risk. The report highlights the vulnerability of outdoor workers, the importance of outdoor activities, and the role of education in adopting preventive behaviors. Pet ownership and interactions with animals are also associated with an increased risk. The state of Illinois is used as a case study for this report, revealing regional variations in TBD incidence, and linking them to agricultural practices, forested areas, and park accessibility. These findings inform recommendations for targeted prevention strategies, emphasizing the need for detailed geographical data to enhance public health efforts in curbing TBD incidence and risk. Full article

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) represents a potential health threat for tourists in high-risk areas, including the Dolomite Mountains in northeastern Italy. The present questionnaire-based survey was, therefore, designed in order to assess knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices (KAP) in a convenience sample of Italian tourists visiting the Dolomite Mountains, who were recruited through online discussion groups. A total of 942 participants (39.2% males, with 60.2% aged under 50) filled in the anonymous survey from 28 March 2023 to 20 June 2023. Overall, 24.1% of participants were vaccinated against TBE; 13.8% claimed to have previously had tick bites, but no cases of TBE were reported. The general understanding of TBE was relatively low; while 79.9% of participants acknowledged TBE as a potentially severe disease, its occurrence was acknowledged as high/rather high or very high in the Dolomites area by only 51.6% of respondents. Factors associated with the TBE vaccine were assessed by the calculation of adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals through a logistic regression analysis model. Living in areas considered at high risk for TBE (aOR 3.010, 95%CI 2.062–4.394), better knowledge on tick-borne disorders (aOR 1.515, 95%CI 1.071–2.142), high risk perception regarding tick-borne infections (aOR 2.566, 95%CI 1.806–3.646), a favorable attitude toward vaccinations (aOR 3.824, 95%CI 1.774–8.224), and a tick bite(s) in a previous season (aOR 5.479, 95%CI 3.582–8.382) were characterized as being positively associated with TBE vaccination uptake. Conversely, being <50 years old (aOR 0.646, 95%CI, 0.458–0.913) and with a higher risk perception regarding the TBE vaccine (aOR 0.541, 95%CI 0.379–0.772) were identified as the main barriers to vaccination. In summary, tourists to the high-risk area of the Dolomites largely underestimate the potential occurrence of TBE. Even though the uptake of the TBE vaccine in this research was in line with European data, public health communication on TBE is required in order to improve acceptance of this effective preventive option. Full article

Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs) are responsible for significant losses in terms of treatment costs, decreased productivity (such as milk and meat), reduced reproductive ability, and financial crisis to livestock owners. In Pakistan, it is crucial to periodically assess the risk of TTBDs and ecological factors, potential causes of acaricidal resistance in tick fauna, and the intensive increase in the spread of TTBDs. Participatory epidemiological approaches are key to assessing the livestock owners’ and stakeholders’ knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) about TTBDs. The current study determined the KAP about ticks and tick-borne diseases of respondents from Sindh, Pakistan. A total of 240 respondents were interviewed from different ecological zones: among them, 42.5% (n = 102) of the respondents practiced the manual removal of ticks from animals, while acaricide usage was indicated by 137 respondents (57.0%) as occurring sometimes, 50 (20.8%) monthly, 41 (17.0%) fortnightly, and 12 (5%) weekly, during the peak infestation season. Ticks were 2.6 times [OR = 2.5 (95% Cl = 1.47–4.06)] and viruses were 1.89 times [OR = 188 (95% Cl = 1.09–2.9)] more likely to cause the development of disease in animals than any other pathogen. Despite the appropriate usage of acaricides, the knowledge of participants was inadequate. The findings of this study emphasize the need to take into account identified knowledge gaps and to take the initiative in carrying out appropriate education activities and extension programs to enhance the adoption of effective tick prevention and control strategies. Full article

In 2020, a record number of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) cases was reported in major endemic areas in Germany, i.e., the southern federal states of Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria. Most cases were unvaccinated. Other tick-borne diseases (TBDs), including Lyme borreliosis and tularemia, are rising, too. Thus, strategies are needed to increase TBE vaccination uptake in risk areas and promote education on TBD prevention. Primary care physicians are key providers of both vaccinations and TBD education. The TBD-Prevention (TBD-Prev) study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of primary care physicians in Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria with regard to TBE vaccination and prevention of TBDs and to derive strategies for increasing vaccination rates and improving knowledge about TBE and other TBDs in the population and among primary care physicians. We invited all primary care physicians (N = 14,046) in both states to participate by mail. Using standardized, self-administered questionnaires, available both on paper and online, we asked physicians anonymously about their knowledge, attitudes and behaviors with respect to TBE vaccination and TBD prevention and their need for further information/educational materials. A total of 2321 physicians participated between May and September 2022 (response rate 17%), of whom 1222 (53%) worked in Baden-Wuerttemberg and 1067 (46%) in Bavaria. Among the participating physicians, 56% were male, 71% were >50 years and 51% worked in an individual practice. Furthermore, 91% were aware of the German national vaccination guidelines, and 98% perceived their knowledge of the risks and benefits of vaccination as adequate. A total of 97% offer TBE vaccinations, 67% provide vaccination counselling during initial consultations with new patients and 64% actively remind patients about due vaccinations. In addition, 24% expressed a need for further information materials, mainly traditional, analogue media such as flyers (82%) and posters (50%), and named timeliness, quality assurance, easy comprehensibility and independence from the pharmaceutical industry as the most important characteristics of such materials. Almost all participating physicians reported offering TBE vaccinations and feeling well-informed about TBE vaccination and TBDs. However, active offering of vaccinations and education could be further improved, and additional, low-threshold information materials are needed. Based on these results, we will develop and provide various materials on TBE vaccination and TBDs, in particular flyers and posters, for use by physicians during consultations. Full article