A recent study, published in the Butlletí de la Institució Catalana d’Història Natural and reported by La Vanguardia, warns about the rapid spread of the Hyalomma lusitanicum tick in Catalonia. Previously almost unknown in the region, this species has now been detected in 101 municipalities (75 in the province of Barcelona and 26 in Tarragona) between 2022 and 2024.
A Growing Public Health Risk
According to the report, this tick is not only spreading quickly, but has already been found in urban areas, such as public parks, gardens, and school courtyards. Its presence poses a significant public health risk, as it is a potential vector of serious diseases, including Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.
Unlike other tick species that wait on vegetation for a host to pass by, Hyalomma lusitanicum actively hunts for its prey, moving quickly toward animals and humans when it detects carbon dioxide from breath and body heat. This behavior increases its potential for spreading and raises the risk of human contact.
Environmental Factors and Its Expansion
The study highlights that the spread of this tick is being fueled by warmer climate conditions and the increasing population of host species, such as wild boars and rabbits, which facilitate its reproduction and survival in new areas.
Municipalities where Hyalomma lusitanicum has been found in Catalonia: in red, the municipalities from the 2022 study, and in orange, those from 2023-2024. Butlletí ICHN 88 (4), 2024
Call for Action and Control Measures
The authors of the study warn that the actual presence of this tick could be even greater than currently detected, emphasizing the need for further research to assess its full expansion. They also call on health authorities to implement coordinated control and prevention strategies, as current responses rely on local initiatives without a unified plan.
The growing presence of Hyalomma lusitanicum in Catalonia highlights the impact of environmental changes on public health. Research and prevention efforts will be crucial to slowing its spread and minimizing the risks associated with this invasive species.
Source: News published in La Vanguardia.
Read the original article here: [Enlace a la noticia]
