University of Hohenheim
Tropische Zeckenarten: Mehrere Funde in Deutschland beunruhigen Fachleute.
(Tropical tick species: Several discoveries in Germany disturb experts.)
Press release by University of Hohenheim, August 14, 2018
According to a press release of the University of Hohenheim, several ticks of the genus Hyalomma have been found in various regions of Germany.
Most ticks identified were H. marginatum and had been detected on horses, but H. rufipes ticks have also been found. The experts think that Hyalomma nymphs are regularly imported by migrating birds from countries south of the Mediterranean Sea, but this year they could develop to adult ticks due to the dry and hot weather. Hyalomma can be vectors for Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus and the Alkhurma/Alkhumra virus, which could not be detected in the ticks collected in Germany. However, in one tick, Rickettsia aeschlimannii was detected.
Since the press release, some more Hyalomma ticks have been found in Germany, mostly by owners of horses and other domestic animals.
For detailed information about Hyalomma and public health aspects, one may read a recent report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, http://ecdc.europa.eu/disease-vectors/facts/tick-factsheets/hyalomma-marginatum
What’s about Hyalomma in your country this year?
Do not hesitate to write a short comment on this topic.