Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are two major tick-borne zoonoses in the temperate regions of the world. They are caused by the infection with two different pathogens, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl, spirochete bacteria) and TBE virus (TBEv, a Flavivirus), but they are both transmitted by the same hard ticks of the Ixodidae family, mainly Ixodes ricinus in Europe.
In Europe, surveillance for both diseases has been implemented over the past decades, yet heterogeneously. Data so far show that Central Europe is the most affected area where both diseases appear endemic, with LB incidence remaining higher than TBE’s. In the Western part of the continent, LB appears mainly endemic and TBE manifests as foci areas of endemicity or sporadic outbreaks. Furthermore, the use of vaccination is sparse or heterogeneous. No vaccine is available for LB, and TBE vaccination protocols are applied in few high-risk countries only. In this context, the increasing incidence and geographical expansion of both diseases is a major concern.
In Europe, surveillance for both diseases has been implemented over the past decades, yet heterogeneously. Data so far show that Central Europe is the most affected area where both diseases appear endemic, with LB incidence remaining higher than TBE’s. In the Western part of the continent, LB appears mainly endemic and TBE manifests as foci areas of endemicity or sporadic outbreaks. Furthermore, the use of vaccination is sparse or heterogeneous. No vaccine is available for LB, and TBE vaccination protocols are applied in few high-risk countries only. In this context, the increasing incidence and geographical expansion of both diseases is a major concern.
MoZArt aims are:
i) to elucidate the spatial determinants and mechanisms underlying Bbsl and TBEv transmission dynamics in the animal, tick and human populations in France, by studying both diseases jointly, as a case study for LB and TBE in general.
ii) to predict areas and periods at higher risk for both diseases, explore the effectiveness of disease control options (e.g. human vaccination, wildlife management practices), and the impact of different meteorological scenarios on human incidence.
i) to elucidate the spatial determinants and mechanisms underlying Bbsl and TBEv transmission dynamics in the animal, tick and human populations in France, by studying both diseases jointly, as a case study for LB and TBE in general.
ii) to predict areas and periods at higher risk for both diseases, explore the effectiveness of disease control options (e.g. human vaccination, wildlife management practices), and the impact of different meteorological scenarios on human incidence.
We plan to achieve these aims through:
- mapping the risk for both diseases
- modelling jointly both pathogens' transmission dynamics
- collecting more data to improve our estimations
- communicating well between us, collaborators, and to the wider audience
- mapping the risk for both diseases
- modelling jointly both pathogens' transmission dynamics
- collecting more data to improve our estimations
- communicating well between us, collaborators, and to the wider audience
