The Hyalomma tick: Threat to Lower Saxony and your health!

The Hyalomma tick: Threat to Lower Saxony and your health!

A new threat is emerging in Lower Saxony's forests and pastures: the Hyalomma tick, a pest up to two centimeters in size, is causing a stir among scientists and farmers. The first finds of the tick species, which comes from Africa and Asia, were recorded in the region last year, primarily on horses. With global warming and the resulting milder winters, the Hyalomma tick could even permanently conquer northern climes, although the winter cold is currently keeping it at bay. That's what she reports District newspaper.

But what makes the Hyalomma tick so dangerous? Not only is it harmless, it can also transmit Crimean-Congo fever (CCHF), a virus that can cause serious illness with a mortality rate of up to 50 percent. In Spain there have been several cases in recent years that have even resulted in death. In Germany, the fear of this virus is still largely unknown. However, Professor Martin Groschup calls for improved monitoring of cases as many diseases may not be detected in time. Loud MDR The establishment of the Hyalomma tick in Germany depends heavily on climatic conditions.

Looking back at the tick year

The last few years have shown a change in the population of Hyalomma ticks. From 2018 to 2020, the number of these ticks increased due to dry summers, while they decreased in 2021 to 2023. However, the ongoing drought combined with warm temperatures is favoring tick survival, which is particularly worrying this year, shows District newspaper.

The Hyalomma tick has a remarkable ability to track its prey over a distance of up to 100 meters and to detect it from distances between 3 and 9 meters. This makes them even more dangerous compared to the native woodbuck genus. But what about the secret spread in Austria? There, too, people are worried that this tick could introduce new diseases, such as typhus. In rural areas of Türkiye, 10% of the population already has antibodies against the virus, which indicates the danger of this type of tick.

Prevention and research

Current research results show that although no CCHF viruses were detected in Hyalomma ticks examined in Germany by the end of 2021, over 30% of the animals were infected with Rickettsia aeschlimannii, a pathogen that causes tick-borne spotted fever. Vaccines against Crimean-Congo fever are in clinical trials, but they are not expected to be launched on the market in the coming years. The situation remains tense and the public is urged to be vigilant, particularly in areas where tick transmission is considered a risk.

The developments surrounding the Hyalomma tick show that the health of people and animals depends not only on nature, but also on our own behavior. Let's hope that winters continue to be cold enough to keep these giants of the tick world away, while at the same time monitoring and prevention against possible disease transmission is increased.