TICKRISK : Understanding and preventing Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Europe

La fièvre hémorragique Crimée-Congo

An emerging public health issue

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral disease transmitted by ticks that currently poses a growing risk at Europe’s borders.
Classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a priority threat for research and development since 2018, CCHF is sometimes described as a “future problem” in France, sometimes as a “time bomb” for Europe.

While biomedical and ecological research on CCHF is progressing, the social sciences remain largely absent from the subject. However, without effective communication on the risks and appropriate health education, our societies remain vulnerable to a potential epidemic.

TICKRISK : An interdisciplinary and international project

The TICKRISK project brings together a team of researchers from various disciplines—anthropology, history, virology, social epidemiology, political science and tick ecology—as well as a citizen science programme.

The study is being conducted in four countries:

• France
• Spain
• Romania
• Turkey

These territories present different levels of epidemic risk, allowing for a comparative approach and a detailed understanding of local dynamics.

The objective is twofold:

1. To compare how FHCC is perceived, studied and managed in different European contexts.
2. Develop appropriate health education and risk communication tools to prepare for and prevent epidemics.

TICKRISK : co-développer les connaissances et les pratiques de prévention

Co-construction and knowledge sharing

In order to co-develop health education, risk communication and preparedness modules with all stakeholders, the “Behavioural Design” approach and health communication will serve as the general framework for this study.

At each study site, in-depth ethnographic and historical research will explore:

• The production and circulation of scientific knowledge on FHCC,
• The translation of this knowledge into public policy and prevention messages,
• The local interpretation of surveillance and protection measures,
• Interactions between humans, ticks, animals and viruses in different contexts (natural, domestic, agricultural, medical, etc.).

The results of TICKRISK will be shared locally through participatory workshops bringing together community representatives, local authorities, public health actors and concerned citizens. These exchanges will enable the co-development of concrete recommendations to improve epidemic preparedness, risk communication and health education.