Many Hyalomma tick species are known, but only the Hyalomma Marginatum and the Hyalomma Aegyptium are found in Europe. They pose a threat especially in Southern European countries due to their association with the Crimean-Congo virus.

Where is the Hyalomma tick found?

The Hyalomma tick originally comes from Africa and also lives in Asia, but in recent years it has been increasingly spotted in Europe. The tick seems to have entered the continent via Spain and Turkey and is becoming an increasing problem.
Some species not only infect humans, livestock, and rodents, but also (migratory) birds. The infections carried by these ticks can therefore easily spread to the rest of the world.
The Hyalomma is mainly active in the months from June to October, striking most often in July and August. If there has been a mild winter, more ticks appear in the spring and fall than originally. The number of ticks in the summer is also significantly higher. At a temperature between 22 and 27 degrees, they are most dangerous and cause the most victims.

Life-threatening Crimean-Congo fever from Hyalomma

The Hyalomma tick is seen as one of the transmitters of the Crimean-Congo virus, which results in thirty to fifty percent of infected people dying. The first symptom of the Crimean-Congo fever is flu with nosebleeds. After a few days, the liver begins to swell and subcutaneous hemorrhages occur. It is also quite possible that vital organs stop functioning. There is no treatment for this life-threatening disease, so avoiding infection is of utmost importance.

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