TY - JOUR
T1 - Reduction in human Lyme neuroborreliosis associated with a major epidemic among roe deer
AU - Andersen, Nanna Skaarup
AU - Skarphédinsson, Sigurdur
AU - Knudtzen, Fredrikke C.
AU - Olesen, Carsten Riis
AU - Jensen, Thøger Gorm
AU - Jensen, Per Moestrup
N1 - Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
PY - 2018/2
Y1 - 2018/2
N2 - Lyme neuroborreliosis is the most severe clinical manifestation of Lyme borreliosis. In most of Denmark, and also Europe, the overall prevalence of Lyme borreliosis seems to be stabilising. This is not the case on the island of Funen, Denmark, where the number of human Lyme neuroborreliosis cases has markedly declined throughout the last decade. We propose the reason for the decline is a major epidemic among roe deer, killing almost half of their population, resulting in a reduction in the tick population which make it less likely to get a tick bite and therefore to contract Lyme neuroborreliosis. This is the first time such a relationship is described as a naturally occurring phenomenon in Europe.
AB - Lyme neuroborreliosis is the most severe clinical manifestation of Lyme borreliosis. In most of Denmark, and also Europe, the overall prevalence of Lyme borreliosis seems to be stabilising. This is not the case on the island of Funen, Denmark, where the number of human Lyme neuroborreliosis cases has markedly declined throughout the last decade. We propose the reason for the decline is a major epidemic among roe deer, killing almost half of their population, resulting in a reduction in the tick population which make it less likely to get a tick bite and therefore to contract Lyme neuroborreliosis. This is the first time such a relationship is described as a naturally occurring phenomenon in Europe.
U2 - 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.12.002
DO - 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.12.002
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 29223586
SN - 1877-959X
VL - 9
SP - 379
EP - 381
JO - Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases
JF - Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases
IS - 2
ER -