About
This study examines the comparative production, translation, and public interpretation of scientific knowledge concerning Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), which poses a genuine health risk in multiple European countries. We will use anthropological and entomological investigation to produce TNAs that develop health education, risk communication, and public engagement and uptake of preventive measures for TBE.
TBE expansion in Europe from more outdoor activities and war-driven migration has resulted in small-scale outbreak events. With climate change, greening cities, and vaccine fatigue on the rise, outbreaks are predicted to increase. Up to 30% of cases can suffer severe neurological disease, long-term sequelae, or death. To date, however, very little social sciences research has been published on TBE. In many cases, Lyme borreliosis educational materials are repurposed for TBE, but may not be effective. Situated health education encouraging prevention and vaccine uptake is essential.
The project’s general objective is to investigate synergies and possible contrasts crucial to health education, community engagement, and vaccine uptake for TBE outbreaks. We evaluate comparatively the experiences of human-tick-animal-environmental relations in urban green spaces, remaining open to public evocation of other tick-borne diseases.
Secondary objectives will: identify historically-produced silences and overlooked questions in scientific investigations of TBE; evaluate the politics of tick-borne disease public health policy, surveillance, and communications; identify political, economic, ecological and social dynamics underpinning interactions between social and occupational groups, ticks, animals, urban landscapes, and the virus.