More than 500 Swedes contracted tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) last year. Researchers are using an app and hope that AI will help them detect tick species carrying dangerous diseases more quickly.
The app, “Rapportera fästing” (Tick Reporting), has received 35,000 tick images over three years. The AI could identify non-native ticks or those carrying new viruses or bacteria. The aim is to raise awareness about species like the migratory bird tick (Hyalomma marginatum), which can carry hemorrhagic fever.
The goal is to launch the AI model within one to two years and involve neighboring countries in sharing data on findings of dangerous ticks.
