Ticks are also active in winter, according to new study
Published: Thursday, Nov 16th 2023, 15:30
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Ticks are also active in winter. This has been confirmed by studies carried out by researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (Germany), as detailed in a press release issued on Thursday.
Climate change is causing mild winters and the associated low or often no snowfall, which influences tick activity.
The researchers caught ticks in the field and at so-called tick plots. These are outdoor areas where ticks can climb up thin wooden sticks and be counted. In addition, veterinarians sent in around 20,000 wood ticks and meadow ticks.
The study shows that the meadow tick is constantly active throughout the winter, except when it snows. The common wood tick is now also active in mild winters from December to February.
A significant increase in the activity of both tick species can be observed, especially in February. As ticks can transmit various infectious diseases, there is now a year-round risk of infection for humans and animals.
Ticks more dangerous than known
Other scientists had previously warned that ticks are active much earlier or even all year round due to climate change. Earlier this week, a study was published showing that Swiss ticks are more dangerous than previously known. Researchers at the University of Zurich (UZH) found disease-causing viruses or bacteria in almost every tick.
To do this, they extracted RNA and DNA from over 10,000 ticks and examined them for viruses. They also tested the ticks for bacteria using PCR tests. At least one non-viral pathogen was found in 77.2 percent of the ticks examined.
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