Role of ticks in spreading encephalitis

Ticks can transmit diseases while sucking blood. In 2016, the first cases of encephalitis, transmitted by these ticks, were recorded in wildlife and humans in the Netherlands. However, it is unknown whether this disease can further establish and spread itself throughout the country. Wageningen ecologists aim to understand the role of both ticks and wildlife in the establishment and spread of the disease. With the generated knowledge they will contribute to early warning of transmission risk, and to the design of effective strategies to prevent the disease.