Tick-Borne Pathogens Training
Following a first training on urban vector mapping, a second session focused on ticks was organized by the Medical Entomology expertise leaders and took place from May, 13rd to 17th 2024 in Tunis, Tunisia. Participants from Lebanon, Mauritania, and Senegal benefited from precious knowledge provided by Prof. Ali Bouattour and Prof. Youmna M’ghirbi from Institut Pasteur de Tunis.
The training began with a theoretical segment on the taxonomy and morphology of ticks, and on their interaction with the environment. Following this, participants moved to Beja region for practical fieldwork. As per usual in this season, they collected most Ixodes ricinus nymphs using the "flagging technique”.
This collection was followed by practical workshops focused on identifying ticks and the pathogens they may carry. Ticks are involved in the transmission of diseases such as Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis and Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever. A visit to the Institut Pasteur de Tunis was an occasion for the local team to share the technology they use for identifying tick-borne pathogens.
