At the event organised by the Academy for Public Health in Düsseldorf and the National Research Platform for Zoonoses, numerous representatives from science and the public health sector met again on 16 May 2017 in Berlin. The topic of this event was tick-borne diseases in humans and animals. It turned out that there are many open questions. It was therefore important that this workshop brought together people from clinics, the public health service (ÖGD) and science.
The programme ranged from specific presentations on TBE, Lyme disease and other tick-borne pathogens to the challenges facing public health authorities and the problem of tick-borne pathogens in veterinary practice. In addition, previously unknown tick species, which are nevertheless native to Germany, were presented. Tick monitoring established in the Netherlands has proven to be helpful. In Germany, a tick atlas, for which the population can send ticks to the University of Leipzig (contact person is Prof. Pfeffer), will provide more knowledge about the occurrence of tick species and the pathogens they harbour.
The discussions were also very varied. One participant from Brazil remarked that he found it surprising to find that in a comparatively small country like Germany, different vaccination recommendations are available in the individual German states. Was it realistic that people from northern Germany never travelled to the south of the republic and therefore needed a different vaccination recommendation with regard to TBE than residents in southern Germany? One of many food for thought that the workshop offered.
Lectures:
FSME
PD Dr. Gerhard Dobler, Institute for Microbiology of the German Armed Forces, München
Borrelia
Dr. Volker Fingerle, National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety, Oberschleißheim
You can see them in the dark. - Tick-borne pathogens outside the spotlight
Prof. Dr. Christina Strube, Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation Hannover
What are the most relevant challenges regarding tick-borne diseases in the daily practice of a health authority?
Dr. Masyar Monazahian, Lower Saxony State Health Office, Hannover
Ticks and tick-borne diseases in veterinary practice
Prof. Dr. Barbara Kohn, Department of Veterinary Medicine, FU Berlin
New tick species in Germany
Dr. Lidia Dobler-Chitimia, Institute for Microbiology of the German Armed Forces, Munich
Tick monitoring in the Netherlands
Dr. Ard Nijhof, FU Berlin
Research initiatives: Early detection and control of tick-borne zoonoses / A Tick Atlas for Germany
Prof. Dr. Martin Pfeffer, Institute for Animal Hygiene and Public Veterinary Science, University of Leipzig
Prof. Pfeffer and Dr. Tinnemann moderate the fully booked workshop.
The participants came from the public health service, the veterinary service, from the clinic and from research.
The detailed and entertaining presentations of the speakers ensure a great increase in knowledge among the participants.
