Several European countries have been infested by huge Hyalomma lusitanicum ticks, which migrated from the hot regions of Africa and Southeast Asia. This is reported by residents of Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, Spain, and Southern Italy.
Hyalomma lusitanicum ticks differ from their counterparts in their aggressiveness; the risk of contracting the deadly diseases they carry increases significantly.
How dangerous are these blood-sucking creatures, can they get to Russia and how to protect yourself from tick attacks, doctors told Lenta.ru.
According to the candidate of medical sciences, clinical laboratory diagnostics doctor Olga Shipulina, three types of ticks are no more dangerous: ixodid, argasid and gamasid.
In Russia, the distribution area of ixodid ticks is constantly expanding. Hyalomma lusitanicum belongs to the ixodid ticks. They are larger in size and more active than those who live in forests and taiga.
Important: Hyalomma lusitanicum are highly resistant to anti-tick chemicals used to treat areas.
They can be carriers of Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever, as well as rickettsia – bacterial infections, including Siberian tick-borne typhus, Boutonnese fever and Q fever.
The appearance of Hyalomma lusitanicum in Central Russia can be expected taking into account climate change and migration migratory birds, noted Shipulina.
What is Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF)? Symptoms appear suddenly:
- fever,
- muscle pain,
- dizziness,
- pain and stiffness of the neck,
- pain in the back or lower back,
- eye inflammation and sensitivity to light.
There may be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and sore throat, followed by mood swings and confusion. After 2-4 days, excitement may be replaced by drowsiness, depression and fatigue, and pain in the abdominal area may be localized in the upper right with enlargement of the liver. Mortality is 10-40%.
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Important! Information provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor.