The Catalan provinces of Barcelona and Tarragona are experiencing an increasingly worrying situation due to a widespread tick infestation in recent months. Experts have issued warnings about these parasites, which are known to feed on the blood of humans and animals and can also transmit various diseases. Below, we detail everything you need to know about this threat, how it affects Catalonia and what you can do to protect yourself from tick bites.
Tick plague in Catalonia
One of the current focuses of attention is the species 'Hyalomma lusitanicum', which has experienced alarming growth in Catalonia. According to the media 'RAC1', this species has multiplied rapidly, representing risks for both humans and different wild animals. Although their bites are usually painless, ticks carry diseases that can be serious.
The Generalitat of Catalonia, through the Gencat website, warns about some of the ailments that can be caused by a tick bite, including: fever button, the Lyme's desease, the encephalitis and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. While these diseases can be worrying, a study by the University of Zaragoza has revealed that the presence of dangerous viruses, including haemorrhagic fever, is minimal in the species present in Catalonia. This data is reassuring, although it does not eliminate the need to be vigilant.
Regions affected by the plague
Carlos Pradera, pest expert, has reported that eight regions of Catalonia, especially in peri-urban areas of Barcelona y Tarragona, are at risk of suffering a significant tick invasion. The threatened regions include the Baix Llobregat, Garraf, Valles Oriental, Vallès occidental, High Penedès, Down Penedès and the MaresmeIn these areas, an increase in the presence of 'Hyalomma lusitanicum' ticks has been observed.
This increase in ticks also coincides with the increase in fauna such as rabbits and wild boars, which act as main hosts. The expansion of the plague is not limited to rural areas, as it has also been documented in urban parks and recreational areas, making it a matter of public concern due to its proximity to inhabited areas.
Role of climate change in the expansion
Climate change has been a key factor in the spread of ticks. In recent decades, there has been an increase in temperatures and longer seasons that favour the reproduction and survival of these parasites. Ticks find warm weather to be an ideal environment for their development, which worsens the situation in regions such as those mentioned.
In addition, the lack of control over wild boar and other wild animal populations has facilitated the spread of ticks in the peri-urban environments of Barcelona and Tarragona. The lack of cold winters, which in the past kept these populations at bay, has aggravated the situation, making it increasingly difficult to stop their expansion.
Innovative control techniques: metagenomics
A recent research carried out by Agustín Estrada-Peña, from the University of Zaragoza and the Agri-Food Institute of Aragon (IA2), has used the technique of metagenomics to more accurately identify the viruses that ticks could carry. This is the first study of its kind in Spain and its results have been fundamental in determining that, at least in the provinces of Barcelona and Tarragona, the viruses detected in ticks do not represent a significant risk to human health.
Using metagenomics, researchers were able to identify four arthropod viruses in the collected ticks, none of which pose a health risk to humans. However, it is important to note that the results obtained cannot be extrapolated to other regions of Spain, since climatic and ecological conditions vary considerably.
How ticks bite
The tick's biting mechanism is sophisticated and designed to go undetected by the host. Ticks look for signals such as carbon dioxide exhaled by living things, and attach themselves firmly to the skin of the animal or human they encounter. They use structures in their mouth known as chelicerae to cut the skin and the hypostome, a needle-shaped organ for sucking blood.
One of the reasons these bites go unnoticed is because they release saliva with natural anesthetics, which reduces the pain and discomfort the host might feel. This allows them to feed for hours or even days.
Tick-borne diseases
Among the main diseases that ticks can transmit are:
- Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic feverThis disease is dangerous and can cause severe symptoms, such as bleeding and high fever. Although its presence in Catalonia is still minimal, the risk should not be underestimated.
- Lyme's desease: Caused by the bacteria Borrelia/Lyme disease, can cause long-term complications if not treated properly.
- Button fever: A disease that causes high fever and skin rashes.
- tick-borne encephalitis: A viral infection that affects the central nervous system and can lead to brain inflammation.
It is important to take preventive measures, since early diagnosis and treatment can avoid serious complications of these diseases.
Preventing tick bites
The best way to protect yourself from tick bites is to take certain preventive measures when engaging in outdoor activities:
- Use long sleeve clothing and high socks to completely cover the body, especially during the warm months.
- Apply an approved insect repellent. These repellents can be applied to clothing or skin.
- Avoid walking through areas of tall or dense vegetation, where ticks often wait.
- Check your body and pets for any attached ticks upon returning from natural areas.
If you find a tick attached to your skin, it is best to remove it with fine tweezers without crushing it and then clean the area with soap and water. If you develop symptoms such as fever or rash after a bite, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately.
The phenomenon of tick infestation in Catalonia continues to be a cause for concern. Although the chances of contracting a dangerous disease are low, proper prevention and early detection remain essential.