Polish forests and meadows have fresh dangerous inhabitants. These are Hyalomma ticks, coming from the warm regions of Africa and Asia. Their arrival in our country is simply a origin of concern for scientists and doctors. Should we truly be afraid of these exotic visitors? What dangers do they pose, and how can we defend ourselves from them?
Hyalomma ticks – what are the differences?
Hyalomma ticks disagree from our native spiders not only from exotic origin. First of all, they are much bigger and busier. While a typical tick waits passively for a possible victim, Hyalomma is actively seeking a host. He can sense it from a distance of up to 100 meters and throw himself in pursuit. These are qualities that make them highly dangerous.
Appearance and behaviour
Hyalomma ticks are larger than typical European ticks, reaching up to 6-8 mm long. Their body is covered with distinctive strands that let for easy recognition. Unlike another ticks, Hyalomma moves very rapidly and are able to actively hunt their prey. This makes them able to travel considerable distances in search of a host.
Life and Reproduction
Hyalomma ticks go through respective stages of development: from larvae to nymphs to adult individuals. Each of these stages requires feeding on the host's blood, making it peculiarly dangerous. They can attack both animals and humans, which increases the hazard of illness transmission.
Diseases carried by Hyalomma ticks
Unfortunately, these extraordinary hunting abilities are not the only reason for concern. Hyalomm's ticks are carriers of many dangerous diseases, different to our climate zone. The top threat is the Crimean-Congian hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHF). It's a deadly illness with a very advanced fever, muscle pain, vomiting and bleeding.
Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF)
The Crimean Congolese hemorrhagic fever is 1 of the most dangerous diseases carried by Hyalomm's ticks. The symptoms of CCHF usually appear within 3 to 9 days after being bitten by an infected tick. Among them are:
- High fever
- Myalgia
- Severe headache
- Vomiting
- Bleeding
The illness can lead to death, so it is crucial to recognise and treat quickly. In Poland, CCHF is simply a fresh threat, which increases the difficulty of diagnosis and treatment.
Other diseases
Hyalomma ticks can besides carry another pathogens, specified as viruses, bacteria and protozoa, which origin dangerous diseases in humans and animals. The most crucial are:
- Q Fever – caused by Coxiella burnetii bacteria, manifested by fever, headache and muscle pain, as well as pneumonia.
- Tularaemia – infectious bacterial illness that can lead to serious wellness complications.
- Babesjoza - a illness caused by protozoa, leading to harm to red blood cells and frequently confused with malaria.
Causes of Hyalomma ticks in Poland
The appearance of Hyalomma ticks in Poland is most likely due to the warming of the climate. Exotic visitors have well adapted to fresh conditions and are expanding their scope each year. Climate change makes winters milder, which promotes the endurance and reproduction of these ticks.
Climate change impacts
Global warming causes many species to migrate north looking for more favourable surviving conditions. Hyalomma ticks, originally found in Africa and Asia, now successfully colonize fresh areas in Europe, including Poland. The increase in temperature and the simplification in the number of freezing days make it possible to last the winter and multiply in our country.
How do you defend yourself from Hyalomma ticks?
To defend yourself from the bite of Hyalomm’s tick, appropriate precautions should be taken. Here are any recommendations that can aid minimise risks:
Repellents and suitable clothing
The usage of skin and clothing repellents is simply a basic method of protection against ticks. erstwhile going for a walk to the forest or to the meadow, it is worth wearing clothes covering as much of the body as possible, including long trousers, long sleeve shirts and closed shoes.
Regular skin checks
Upon returning home, the skin should be carefully inspected, especially in places where ticks are most frequently attached: behind the ears, on the neck, in elbows and knees, under pa and groins. fast removal of tick reduces the hazard of infection.
How to remove a tick?
If a tick is spotted, it must be removed as shortly as possible. This should be done carefully utilizing tweezers to pull it out in its entirety, without crushing. The bite site should be disinfected. After removal of the tick, it is worth keeping it in a tightly closed container, in case a doctor needs to analyse it.
What to do if you experience symptoms?
If, after a tick bite, disturbing symptoms specified as advanced fever, muscle pain, vomiting or bleeding occur, urgent medical consultation is required. rapidly taking appropriate medical steps can save lives.
Prevention and control of populations
Scientists are working on ways to control Hyalomm's tick population. These methods include both investigation into more effective repellents and actions to reduce the number of these spiders in nature. Let's hope that we can halt the further expansion of exotic spiders before they become a real threat to the wellness of Poles.
Although the appearance of Hyalomma ticks in Poland may origin fear, there is no reason to panic. Appropriate prevention and alertness will minimise the hazard of infection. Hyalomma ticks are a fresh challenge for our health, but thanks to the cooperation of scientists, doctors and society, we can effectively defend ourselves from the dangers that these exotic spiders carry.
Let us be vigilant, follow the advice of experts and take care of our wellness to enjoy safe contact with nature.
Continued here:
HYALOMMA CUT FROM AFRICA IN POLAND! BLOODS AND EXCHANGES
