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Introduction: The tick Ixodes ricinus, which is endemic in Denmark and most European countries, is known to carry the flaviviruses Louping ill virus (LIV) and tick borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). This study was undertaken to assess the tick densities on Bornholm and the occurrence of three different flaviviruses: TBEV, LIV and Powassan (PowV). Materials and methods: The ticks were collected by flagging vegetation at eight different forest locations during the course of three days in June 1999. Virus detection was performed using RT-PCR. Results: Pools of nymphs were found positive by RT-PCR for both TBEV and LIV. No pools were found positive for PowV. A minimum prevalence of ~ 0.5% was found for TBEV and a minimum of ~ 2% for LIV. The tick density was found to be between 2.5 and 5.5 nymphs/min. Discussion: Louping ill virus has not previously been found in Denmark and needs to be studied further. The minimum level of prevalence of TBEV in ticks on Bornholm is similar to what has been found in other European countries where TBEV is endemic. The coexistence of TBEV and LIV in Denmark should be taken into account when evaluating TBE serology results.

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