TBE: Researchers investigate tick areas with survey drones

Scientists from the Institute of Infectious and Tropical Medicine at Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, as well as the Earth Observation Research Cluster (EORC) at the University of Würzburg, are using survey drones in two districts as part of the project “MONID HABITRACK” (Habitat Prediction and Surveillance of Tick-borne Diseases using Modelling and Imaging Technology) to investigate the environmental conditions that strongly favor the spread of TBE viruses and Borrelia bacteria. The viruses and bacteria can be transmitted to humans through tick bites. The viruses can cause meningitis, and the bacteria can lead to nerve pain, joint inflammation, and other health problems.

Between March and November, the risk of infection with Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE) or Lyme disease from a tick bite is increasingly high in some areas of Germany. The highest risk occurs in spring and autumn. The health consequences can sometimes be dramatic, for example, if the central nervous system is affected. However, TBE can be prevented by vaccination, while there is currently no approved vaccine for Lyme disease.

Drones collect environmental data

Researchers from LMU Munich and the University of Würzburg now want to find out what living conditions are necessary for TBE viruses and Borrelia bacteria to thrive. This primarily concerns the environmental factors and microhabitat conditions required for this. For their research, the scientists have selected two areas in the Upper Palatinate where TBE is particularly prevalent: the districts of Amberg-Sulzbach and Schwandorf. The TBE virus has been detected at 20 high-risk locations on the edges of forests.

The researchers now intend to use remote sensing drones from the EORC to collect thermal, multispectral, and lidar data over the areas to determine the forest structure, the appearance of vegetation and forest floor, and the specific plants growing there. Both the horizontal and vertical structure of the forest are to be recorded.

“Our highly accurate Earth observation measurement methods allow us to first capture in detail, on a small scale, where health hazards lurk and then derive large-scale statements from this. Remote sensing with drones, in particular, provides very precise local data that can then be transferred to larger areas,” explains project leader Ariane Droin from the Earth Observation Research Cluster (EORC) at the University of Würzburg.

Infection risk prediction

From the data collected by the drones, the scientists aim to develop a prediction model that is as precise as possible, providing information about which areas are at risk of infection and at what time. The researchers will consider additional data such as climate, weather, and reported TBE infections. Furthermore, virological and bacteriological as well as entomological information will be included. These are intended to map the environmental conditions and the spread of TBE and Lyme disease. Using machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI)-supported analysis methods, concrete predictions about possible infection risks can then be made.

The researchers expect the first concrete results in mid-2029. At that point, a small-scale map showing locations and their respective infection risks should be available.

In addition to the Institute for Tropical and Infectious Diseases at LMU and the EORC, the project, which has been running since early 2026, also involves experts in mathematical modeling, epidemiology, virology, and entomology from the German National Reference Centre for Tick-borne Encephalitis (DKF) Munich, the Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), the Institute for Infection and Pandemic Research IIP, Penzberg/Munich, and the Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL) with the National Reference Centre for Borrelia.

(olb)