Ticks – now and then. Is prediction of abundance possible?

Place: Vienna
Venue: Vienna Marriott Hotel, Austria
Local organizers: Michiel Wjinvield, Georg Duscher

This workshop is going to discuss the possibilities to predict tick abundance and tick spreading by using forecasting tools. The use of simple temperature-based models as well as sophisticated models including complex parameters will be presented. Their potential and need will be evaluated among tick specialists. Furthermore, the interdisciplinary link between modellers and entomologists will be tightened to enable further cooperations.

Objectives:

• to identify and map current tick forecasting activities in the action
• to sneak into the world of modellers to experience their need
• to discuss a common and consolidated approach on ticks and climate change
• critically discuss the potential and possibilities of these models
• to foster sustained collaboration between tick biologists, ecologists, and
  modellers

AGENDA

22 March, 2026

• 09.00-09.15 – Welcome by local organizers (Michiel Wjinvield)
• 09.15-09.30 – WP 3 (Georg Duscher)
• 09.30-10.15 – Keynote Lecture (Johanna Wittholm) – The national Project “CD Risk”; Hyalomma ticks in Austria
• 10.15-11.00 – Keynote Lecture (Verena Parzer) – From Mapping to Forecasting Emergency Mapping Tools for Decision Support in Tick and Disease Surveillance
• 11.00-11.30 – Break
• 11.30-12.15 – Keynote Lecture (Donal Bisanzio) – Using passive surveillance to forecast the spread of emerging ticks and TBD
• 12.15 – 13:30 – Workshop: Tour the table – Do countries make predictions? Which ticks? Next steps for a more common approach (Georg Duscher)
• 13:30-14:00 – Closing remarks (Georg Duscher)

FOR THE FULL PROGRAMME: KLICK HERE