Predicting habitat suitability for Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes persulcatus ticks in Finland.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ticks are responsible for transmitting several notable pathogens worldwide. Finland lies in a zone where two human-biting tick species co-occur: Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes persulcatus. Tick densities have increased in boreal regions worldwide during past decades, and tick-borne pathogens have been identified as one of the major threats to public health in the face of climate change.

Methods

We used species distribution modelling techniques to predict the distributions of I. ricinus and I. persulcatus, using aggregated historical data from 2014 to 2020 and new tick occurrence data from 2021. By aiming to fill the gaps in tick occurrence data, we created a new sampling strategy across Finland. We also screened for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Borrelia fro

SUBMITTER: Uusitalo R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9429443 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature