African ticks bring deadly virus to Europe
The climate crisis is once again impacting Europe as global warming has led to the migration of ticks from Asia and Africa to Europe, bringing with them the threat of spreading a deadly virus.
Each year, pet owners are confronted with a crucial choice: how to shield their beloved companions from the perils of ticks. This is a matter of grave concern as ticks can transmit a slew of diseases, including the life-threatening babesiosis, Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis, Q fever, tularemia (also known as rabbit fever), bartonellosis, ehrlichiosis, and rickettsiosis.
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Special drops, tablets, and collars are available on the market to protect animals from tick bites. However, the issue of ticks spreading disease became more complicated this year, with the first reported cases in Europe of a species of arachnid that had previously only been found in Asia and Africa.
Global warming affects ticks
Researchers have discovered Hyalomma ticks, which used to live in Africa and Asia, in Germany and the Czech Republic. Hyalomma ticks prefer dry and hot climates and were mainly found in steppes and savannahs until recently. Due to climate change and global warming, the weather in Europe has become suitable for these ticks. They travel to Europe on migratory birds and live animals.
Hyalomma ticks are larger than the Ixodes ricinus ticks found in Europe, with a body size twice as big. The most common African tick found in Europe, the Hyalomma marginatum species, can grow up to 2 cm when fully fed. These ticks are recognisable by their striped legs.
New tick species found in Europe are extremely dangerous
Ticks of the Hyalomma species transmit a deadly disease - Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHF). The mortality rate of this disease ranges from 10% to 60%, and there is currently no effective remedy. Additionally, these arachnids transmit parasites.
What makes the threat of Hyalomma ticks even more unsettling is their active behaviour. Unlike other ticks, they don't wait passively for their prey. Upon sensing a potential host, they actively move towards it, capable of covering up to 100 meters in just 10 minutes.
Data is currently being collected on the presence of Hyalomma ticks in Poland, with the University of Warsaw responsible for the survey. Individuals who capture a suspected arachnid are asked to deliver it to the designated monitoring personnel.
