Trends in the use of earth observation systems for tick surveillance

Abstract

Abstract Ticks are major ectoparasites affecting livestock, wildlife, and humans, transmitting a range of diseases that cause severe health and economic losses estimated at US$ 3.9–30 billion annually. Their abundance and distribution are influenced by environmental and climatic factors, yet surveillance remaining limited in many regions from the world. This study aimed to explore the use of Earth observation (EO) systems in monitoring tick abundance and distribution patterns. Using Scopus and Web of Science databases, bibliometric data from 1989 to July 2025 were analysed following the PRISMA framework, resulting in a final dataset of 90 publications. Results showed that research output is dominated by developed countries, led by the United States (24 publications), Czech Republic (15), and Spain (10), while African contributions remain minimal, with only four countries (Cameroon, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Tanzania) active in this field. The most frequent keywords included “Remote sensing”, “Geographic information system GIS”, “Ixodes ricinus ”, and “Lyme disease” reflecting strong links between geospatial tools and vector surveillance. Findings highlight the critical role of EO technologies in predicting tick habitats and disease risk but reveal gaps in research capacity and application. It is recommended that future efforts prioritize affordable, context-specific EO tools, strengthen international collaboration, and adopt One Health–based approaches to enhance global tick surveillance and management.