Capacity building for the surveillance of native and non-native ticks and tick-borne diseases at the SBAs (Tick Alert)

Capacity building for the surveillance of native and non-native ticks and tick-borne diseases at the SBAs (Tick Alert)

Project Title: DPlus198: Capacity building for the surveillance of native and non-native ticks and tick-borne diseases at the SBAs (Tick Alert).

Aim: This project aims to build capacity within the SBAs Cyprus for monitoring of native and non-native tick species and the pathogens they transmit through a collaboration between the Joint Services Health Unit, British Forces Cyprus, ELGO-DIMITRA in Greece and Enalia Physis. Tick Alert will improve our knowledge on the tick biodiversity and associated impacts within SBAs in Cyprus and last but not less, raise awareness about ticks and tick-borne diseases among the local population.

Goals:
 1.Comparing dragging, flagging and CO 2 traps regarding their efficiency in capturing different tick species.
 2.Studying the seasonality of the different life stages of the tick species present at the SBAs areas.
 3.Conducting a Knowledge Attitudes and Practices (KAP) study to understand public
views and opinions about ticks and tick-borne diseases. This will serve as a basis for
educational and health promotion campaigns.
 4.Raise public awareness about ticks and tick-borne diseases.

Duration: April 2022- March 2025
Location: Cyprus, Western Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri
Funded by: Darwin Plus
Direct partners: Joint Services Health Unit Cyprus (JSHU); Hellenic Agricultural
Organisation Demeter