The tick season is in full swing in Sweden, and in addition to the species that already live here, researchers are keeping a special eye on two species.
It is about migratory bird ticks, which, as the name reveals, come to Sweden with migratory birds. The tick can carry bacteria and infections that we don't normally have in Sweden and which can be harmful to humans.
- It is above all the Crimean-Congo virus, hemorrhagic fever virus, that they can carry. It's the most serious tick-borne disease we have, so we don't want it here, says Anna Omazic, senior researcher at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute.
The migratory tick comes to Sweden "to visit" sometimes, but the tick nymph usually dies quite immediately due to the cold and wet climate. However, during periods of extreme weather, the tick can survive and develop into an adult tick in Sweden.
- For example, like 2018 when we found it for the first time, says Anna Omazic.
The second species that is mapped in the project "Report the tick" is the variegated dog tick, which can come to Sweden with dogs, for example dogs that have been on holiday abroad or that have been smuggled into Sweden. Variegated dog ticks, just like migratory bird ticks, can carry viruses, bacteria and parasites that are not normally found in Sweden.
- These are above all diseases that apply specifically to dogs, but which are not dangerous for us humans, says Anna Omazic.
Variegated dog ticks have good opportunities to establish themselves in Sweden. It lives naturally in northern Germany where the climate is similar to ours.
- It could probably become a tick like we have here in Sweden, says Anna Omazic.
In addition to these two, observations of blunt-nosed ticks are also sought, which are found in parts of southern Sweden. The trubbnosed tick has established itself in parts of Öland and Gotland, but may be about to expand its range.
Last spring, the County Administrative Board in Kalmar warned against visiting the attraction Noah's Ark on Öland because of the large amount of ticks there. According to Anna Omazic, it was a blunt-nosed tick that was found.
Blunt-nosed ticks are primarily interested in grazing animals and it is less common for humans to be bitten.
- It can carry a bacterium called anaplasma phagocytophilum, which causes disease in cattle.
The researchers are also keeping an eye on the taiga tick. It is found in the northern parts of the country and can carry different subtypes of the TBE virus, which we normally do not have in Sweden.
- WE have the European subtype of the TBE virus in Sweden, but there are other subtypes that could cause even more serious symptoms and have a higher mortality rate. They are found in Finland and Russia, among others, says Anna Omazic.
Anyone can submit their tick findings to "Report a tick". You don't need to know what kind of tick it is, but SVA has a special website for the project.
Read more:
Here is Sweden's "tick epicenter"
