Enormous virus-carrying ‘monster ticks’ have been spotted in Poland, raising fears that they could endanger public safety.
Scientists monitoring the deadly Hyalomma ticks, which are usually found in tropical climates such as Africa and Southeast Asia, say they have now received reports from three locations across the country.
Professor Anna Bajer from the University of Warsaw’s tick-tracking campaign said that the “first shipment” of the insects had arrived from Częstochowa in southern Poland after being found on a horse.
She added that other sightings had been reported in the west and southwest of the country.
The giant arachnids are known for transmitting the fatal Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus.
University of Warsaw scientists said: “The mortality rate of people infected with the virus is high (10–60%) and treatment is unavailable.”
The ticks can also carry the West Nile virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus and African horse sickness virus.
In May, Warsaw University set up a national campaign to raise awareness of the ticks after it was reported that the insects were heading towards Poland.
The campaign encourages people to send photos of any suspected sightings in order to build up a map of their exact locations.
A statement published on the campaign’s website said: “Adult ticks (female) are up to four times larger than female common ticks commonly found in Poland.
“Body color ranges from reddish brown to almost black.”
The statement added that “in recent years there have been reports of adult Hyalomma ticks attacking people and animals, e.g. in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and even Sweden.”
“Ticks were collected there from horses, dogs, cattle and also found in homes.
“Public involvement in the 'National Tick Collection' program may contribute to collecting invaluable knowledge about new threats from ticks and to the development of science.
“The collected knowledge will make it possible to prevent tick-borne diseases and prepare a threat map.”
Professor Anna Bajer from the University of Warsaw’s tick-tracking campaign said that the “first shipment” of the insects had arrived from Częstochowa in southern Poland after being found on a horse.
She added that other sightings had been reported in the west and southwest of the country.
The giant arachnids are known for transmitting the fatal Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus.
University of Warsaw scientists said: “The mortality rate of people infected with the virus is high (10–60%) and treatment is unavailable.”
The ticks can also carry the West Nile virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus and African horse sickness virus.
In May, Warsaw University set up a national campaign to raise awareness of the ticks after it was reported that the insects were heading towards Poland.
The campaign encourages people to send photos of any suspected sightings in order to build up a map of their exact locations.
A statement published on the campaign’s website said: “Adult ticks (female) are up to four times larger than female common ticks commonly found in Poland.
“Body color ranges from reddish brown to almost black.”
The statement added that “in recent years there have been reports of adult Hyalomma ticks attacking people and animals, e.g. in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and even Sweden.”
“Ticks were collected there from horses, dogs, cattle and also found in homes.
“Public involvement in the 'National Tick Collection' program may contribute to collecting invaluable knowledge about new threats from ticks and to the development of science.
“The collected knowledge will make it possible to prevent tick-borne diseases and prepare a threat map.”
Source: Polsat/TVP World
