Overview
Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods that feed on vertebrate hosts. Although wild and domestic animals are the primary source of tick blood meals, humans can be an accidental host. During a blood meal, a microorganism can be transmitted to the host who can develop a disease. All infectious diseases transmitted by ticks are referred to as tick-borne diseases (TBDs). They are the most prevalent vector-borne diseases in the Northern Hemisphere. Among these diseases, Lyme borreliosis is the most common.
In Europe, Lyme borreliosis does not cause high fevers (> 38°C). Therefore, when a patient presents with a high fever with the notion of exposure to ticks, another etiology must be suspected. Anaplasma phagocytophilum and the tick-borne encephalitis virus are classically described as causing febrile syndromes.
In France, ticks and tick-borne diseases are increasing, particularly those associated with the Ixodes ricinus tick. This tick is mainly present in forest ecosystems with a peak of activity in May. Foresters represent a population with biting ticks and tick-borne diseases, notably Lyme borreliosis.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Major forester (≥18 years old)
- Male or female gender
- ONF (National Forestry Office) staff
- Regularly exposed to ticks in Alsace (exclusively)
- Practicing regular forestry activities in a group
- Agreeing to participate in the study.
Exclusion criteria:
- Refusal to participate in the study