Cyprus Times

Climate Change Exacerbates Tick-Borne Diseases: University of Nicosia Research

Published January 12, 2026, 10:06
Climate Change Exacerbates Tick-Borne Diseases: University of Nicosia Research

A new scientific study from the Medical School of the University of Nicosia highlights the exacerbation of tick-borne diseases due to climate change. The research, conducted in collaboration with researchers from Greece and Turkey, focuses on the impact of climate changes on livestock farming in the Mediterranean. The study finds that rising temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, and the more frequent occurrence of extreme weather events increase stress in animals and favor the spread of ticks and the diseases they carry. This has negative consequences for animal productivity, reproduction, and welfare. Professor Panagiotis Karanis points out that warmer conditions extend the seasonal activity of ticks and accelerate their life cycle, facilitating their spread to new areas. This leads to an increase in disease transmission and economic losses for farmers. The researchers emphasize the need to move from traditional control methods to integrated strategies adapted to the conditions of climate change. They propose the development of early monitoring and warning systems, as well as improved management of pastures and animal nutrition.