Dangerous hyalomma tick is now increasingly settling in Germany

Dangerous hyalomma tick detected in Schleswig-Holstein

In Schleswig-Holstein, the dangerous hyalomma tick has been detected - and in winter! This species of ticks is actually native to southern climes. Among other things, the bloodsuckers can transmit the life-threatening Crimean Congo fever virus.

Non-domestic tick species found

Health experts have reported increasing numbers of ticks in recent months. The small bloodsuckers can transmit infectious diseases such as Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). In the meantime, non-native species also appear here - even in winter. For example, the dangerous hyalomma tick was recently found in northern Germany.

In Schleswig-Holstein, the dangerous tick species Hyalomma has been detected for the first time. These ticks are significantly larger than native species. (Image: IMB / Lidia Chitimia-Dobler)

Hyalomma tick detected in Schleswig-Holstein for the first time

In Schleswig-Holstein, a hyalomma tick has been detected for the first time. According to a report by the NDR, the animal was discovered by a rider on a horse in Bokelholm (Rendsburg-Eckernförde district).

The woman sent the bloodsucker to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for tropical medicine in Hamburg.

This species of ticks is actually native to southern Europe, Asia and Africa, but has been detected several times in Germany in recent months.

Significantly larger than the wooden buck

The hyalomma tick is about five times as large as the domestic tick species Holzbock.

Like Dr. Peter Hagedorn, tick researcher at the RKI, told the NDR, the animal with its strikingly striped, hairy legs can run fast and hunts its victims up to 100 meters.

According to the expert, the hyalomma tick is very dangerous, "because it can transmit viruses that have not been transmitted here in Germany before."

Thus, the bloodsucker can transmit the Crimean Congo fever virus, which causes severe internal bleeding and can even be fatal.

Life-threatening Crimean Congo fever

The Crimean Congo fever also appears on a list of diseases and pathogens that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), "pose a risk to public health and for which there are no or inadequate countermeasures," as the organization writes on its website.

For these diseases, "accelerated research is urgently needed given their potential to cause a public health emergency and the lack of effective drugs and / or vaccines".

The disease has recently caused attention in several cases in Turkey but also in Spain.

It is also important because there is no vaccine yet.

However, timely treatment with an anti-viral agent can prevent the fatal outcome of the disease.

Hyalomma can survive temperatures down to minus 40 degrees

So far, only a few copies of the hyalomma tick have been found nationwide. None of the animals bore the Crimean Congo virus.

Nevertheless, experts are alarmed, as the bloodsuckers with migratory birds come to Germany. Maybe they could also establish themselves in this country.

"These species of ticks could find their way into Germany", explained Prof. Dr. med. Ute Mackenstedt, parasitologist at the University of Hohenheim in a statement.

"Due to the global warming, more and more heat-loving ticks are to be expected," says the expert.

And even with cold Hyalomma gets along well. According to Dr. Hawthorn from the RKI feels better in tropical heat, but can survive temperatures down to minus 40 degrees.

Nevertheless, researchers are not sure if this species of ticks can survive the winter. According to the RKI experts, however, one has to check whether it will occur again next year and in what number. (Ad)