O1. Tick species identification and Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) infection rate: Gain a comprehensive understanding of tick species in SSA and Greece, including simultaneous identification across different SSA countries and characterization of their distribution in various habitats. Characterization of their infection rate with different CCHFV genotypes as a function of geographical location.

O2. Invasive species management: Monitor potential invasive tick species by comparing our data with ECDC or related literature, essential for developing timely management strategies.

O3. Bird migration dynamics: Investigate migratory birds' role in caring and spreading ticks and tick-borne pathogens, focusing on the African-Eurasian flyway's western and eastern corridors. Analyse the EURING (European Union for bird RINGing) database to track migration pattern alterations and assess the likelihood of tick and/or CCHFV genotype spill over throughout Africa and Europe.

O4. Disease dynamics: Investigate the prevalence of different CCHFV genotypes in ticks, livestock and humans across diverse geographical areas in SSA.

O5. Diagnostic test development: We will improve, develop and deploy a recently commercialized platform (Pebble, Technology Readiness Level=9) to develop a portable, rapid (<30min), and cost-effective (<6€/assay) diagnostic test for CCHFV in infected animal hosts, ticks, and humans, outside of laboratory settings.

O6. Acaricide resistance: Study acaricide resistance mechanisms in diverse tick populations in SSA to propose alternative, tailored, environmentally friendly control strategies at the continental level.

O7. Education: Raise public awareness about tick-related risks in SSA and Greece through public exhibitions and targeted activities.

O8. Mathematical modelling: Explain and predict tick and CCHFV dynamics under different climatic scenarios using innovative and robust mathematical modelling methodologies.