The identification of these ticks marks the first such findings in the country, highlighting a potential public health concern.
The confirmation comes from a citizen science initiative called "National Tick Collection" launched this spring.
The project encourages ordinary people to send information and photos of ticks they find to specialists for identification. So far, three instances of the Hyalomma species have been reported near the western city of Poznań, Częstochowa in the south of the country, and the village of Barankowo in the northwest.
This species, which is larger than native European ticks and known for its striped legs, thrives in warm and dry climates, typical of Mediterranean regions. Hyalomma ticks are active hunters, known for moving quickly towards potential hosts rather than waiting in vegetation.
Their presence in Poland is a significant concern due to their capacity to carry the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV), which has a high fatality rate, and other pathogens like the West Nile Virus.
Bajer emphasized the success of the National Tick Collection project in raising awareness and gathering data. The initiative has received around 420 tick reports in total, with most being the common Ixodes ricinus.
However, the reports of Hyalomma and other species such as Dermacentor reticulatus, which has expanded its range in Poland, are of particular interest to researchers.
Citizens are urged to continue participating in the project by checking themselves and their pets for ticks after outdoor activities. Those who find ticks are advised to remove them carefully, freeze them, and send them to the university for analysis.
This ongoing citizen involvement is crucial for tracking the spread and potentially mitigating the risks associated with these ticks.
The spread of Hyalomma ticks into northern Europe is believed to be facilitated by migratory birds and increasingly warm and dry weather conditions, allowing these typically southern ticks to survive in new regions.
This adaptation poses a direct threat not only to humans but also to domestic and livestock animals, making monitoring and rapid identification efforts like those spearheaded by Bajer and her team critical for public health.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP