Concern in Catalonia due to the increase in ticks in the last two years. The Hyalomma lusitanicum It is expanding very quickly and already has been detected in more than 80 municipalities of the provinces of Barcelona and Tarragona. This has been shown by a study of the Catalan Institute of Natural Historycollected by The Vanguard. This invasive species was practically non-existent until now in the community.
A study published in 2022 by the same Catalan institution showed that the Hyalomma lusitanicum It registered its presence in around thirty municipalities in Barcelona. However, two years later, this figure has tripled. The tick is associated with natural areas, but now also It can be found in parks, gardens or schoolyards. from urban areas such as Badalona, Sabadell or Villafranca del Penedès.
This significant increase in ticks in Catalonia could be due to favorable environmental conditions – rising temperatures – and a greater presence of host species, according to the same study. In the community, The presence of wild boars and rabbits has grown significantly in recent years.
Where is the tick present in Catalonia?
The study, which was conducted between April-June 2023 and April-September 2024, captured more than a thousand ticks in 81 municipalities of Barcelona and Tarragona. Beyond the provincial capitals, the species was found in towns such as Cubelles, Sitges, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Calafell, Santa Oliva or El Vendrell. It is not ruled out that it may be present in other locations not included in the study.
Public health consequences
A tick bite usually goes unnoticed, as it is not painful and does not usually cause damage. However, there is a risk of disease transmission. According to the Generalitat Health Channelit is important that the tick be removed as soon as possible, preferably by a health professional: it can transmit infectious agents when in contact with the skin for several hours and cause pathologies such as button fever, Lym disease, Crimean hemorrhagic fever -Congo or tularemia.
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