About
Increase in tick-borne infections
Ticks are the most important vectors for transmitting diseases in Northern Europe. The distribution of ticks is expanding and tick-borne infections constitute growing health risks. The number of people and animals afflicted by tick-borne infections are on the rise. The reasons are complex and may include climate change, increased urbanisation and other human influences on ecosystems.
More knowledge is needed
While the probability a tick-borne infection is low, the health impacts can sometimes be large. It is challenging for health services and authorities to be updated on optimal strategies for prevention and management of Borreliosis and TBE (Tick-borne encephalitis), and to keep up with other emerging tick-borne microorganisms and infections, and to give adequate information to a concerned public. Evidence-based and cost-effective strategies for control of tick-borne infections are currently the weakest chain in surveillance.
Joint effort
NorthTick aims to meet these challenges by providing a multi-disciplinary and transnational joint effort to improve public health service delivery regarding:
•risk assessment
•efficient preventive measures
•optimal diagnostic strategies
•best patient management recommendations
NorthTick will enhance cooperation between academic institutions, national/regional health authorities, patient organizations and other NGOs, industry and policy makers to develop and exchange knowledge on how to curb the rise in tick-borne infections and the associated burden on society.