A dangerous species of tick appeared in Poland - Haemaphysalis concinna. It probably came to our country from Germany. His presence was also recorded in our southern and eastern neighbors. Check what the Haemaphysalis concinna tick looks like and what diseases it can transmit.

Haemaphysalis concinnais a new, dangerous species of tick in Poland - scientists from the Faculty of Biology of the University of Warsaw report. names. According to specialists, their presence in Poland is an effect of global warming.

Haemaphysalis concinna tick - where is it?

Until now, ticks of the species Haemaphysalis concinna lived mainly in Asia. In Europe, they occurred in Greece, Spain, France (especially in the Paris Basin) and Hungary. However, as a result of global warming, they began to travel north and reached, among others, to Germany, and from there to our country.

Researchers from the University of Warsaw discovered a concentration of this species of tick in western Poland, in the towns of Słonin and Nowy Młyn (Greater Poland). In 2022, researchers examined the rodents found there for parasites. From the bodies of 106 rodents, 1,482 ticks were collected, 427 of which were Haemaphysalis concinna ticks, unknown so far in our country .¹ Additionally, 20 nymphs and adult H. concinna specimens from local vegetation were collected .¹

It is worth knowing that this is not the first time that the species of this tick has been recorded in Poland. Its presence was described as early as 1953 in the West Pomeranian Troszyn, near the island of Wolin (but it was only one female of this species) .¹ After that, this tick was not found in our country for a long time, although its occurrence was also documented in the Czech Republic and Slovakia , Ukraine, Belarus, as well as in the south and east of Russia .¹

It is worth knowing that scientists from the University of Wrocław also found traces of this tick, who located H. concinna specimens, several kilometers north-west of Wrocław, near the town of Miękinia.

Haemaphysalis concinna tick - what does it look like?

Ticks of the species Haemaphysalis concinna have a light brown coloration and dark streaks on the body. The male's body length is 2.8-3.3 mm. The femalesare slightly larger (3-3.8 mm) .²

Their hosts are mainly sheep, although they have also been found on horses, deer, hares, as well as dogs and cats², as well as rodents¹.

Haemaphysalis concinna tick - what diseases does it transmit?

The tick of the H. concinna species can be a vector of a wide range of pathogens that cause, among others:

  • tick-borne encephalitis,
  • anaplasmosis,
  • riteksje¹.

According to specialists from the Medical University of Lodz, ticks of this species can also cause:

  • Lyme disease,
  • tularemia
  • and Q³ fever.
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A dangerous species of tick has appeared in Poland. Carries severe diseases

About the authorMonika Majewska A journalist specializing in he alth issues, especially in the areas of medicine, he alth protection and he althy eating. Author of news, guides, interviews with experts and reports. Participant of the largest Polish National Medical Conference "Polish woman in Europe", organized by the "Journalists for He alth" Association, as well as specialist workshops and seminars for journalists organized by the Association.

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Category:

Parasitic diseases