Second expert consultation on Tick-borne diseases with emphasis on Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitisArchived

Objective of the consultationThe objective of this expert consultation is to guide, harmonize and enhance the surveillance and prevention of tick-borne diseases in EU Member States, with special emphasis on Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis.

In this perspective, the objective of the meeting would be to review and agree on the case definition and case classification of tick-borne encephalitis for surveillance at the EU level, and to propose a possible case definition and classification for Lyme borreliosis as well as to identify remaining problems with these. In addition, an overview of the present situation of the main tick-borne disease cases and surveillance systems in the EU will be given.

Specific objectives

• To give an update of knowledge on the epidemiological situation and surveillance systems of tick-borne diseases in the EU, as a feedback from questionnaires sent to Member States
• To agree on an EU case definition for tick-borne encephalitis notification;
• To discuss clinical, epidemiological and laboratory criteria for case definition and case classification of Lyme borreliosis, what laboratory methods are suitable or missing for a clear case definition and classification and which surveillance systems are useful for surveillance at EU level.

Based on the outputs of the consultation, ECDC will be able to provide the European Commission with a case definition for tick-borne encephalitis, for integration into the revision of DECISION NO 2119/98/EC setting up a network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases in the Community. Regarding Lyme borreliosis, agreements on case definition and classification criteria for epidemiological surveillance at EU level are expected, and gaps will be identified.