The Catalan provinces of Barcelona and Tarragona have been facing a worrying situation for several months. Experts have sounded the alarm about a widespread tick infestation. These parasitic creatures, known as "bloodsuckers," not only pose a threat to animals but also humans with their biting behavior.
In this article we are going to tell you everything you need to know about the tick pests in Catalonia and how to prevent the bite of these insects.
Tick plague in Catalonia
Experts have issued an alert specifically directed at the species 'Hyalomma lusitanicum', a parasite that, according to 'RAC1', has experienced "unbridled growth" in recent times. The significant danger associated with this particular pest lies in its ability to transmit diseases, despite the fact that their bite is relatively painless compared to other insects.
Currently, the main focus for the people of Catalonia revolves around the potential health risks posed by these small parasites. The Gencat website, managed by the Generalitat of Catalonia, explicitly warns about the various diseases that these pests can transmit, including button fever, Lyme disease, encephalitis and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. The range of diseases is quite wide. However, 'National Geographic' has taken a step forward to alleviate the high state of anxiety.
The aforementioned medium refers to a recent article that highlights a study carried out by the University of Zaragoza. This study confirms that the current epidemic It does not pose a significant risk of transmitting serious diseases to humans. More specifically, the research affirms that the probability that pathogenic viruses are present in this particular species found in Catalonia is extremely minimal, if not non-existent.
What regions have been affected by the plague?
Carlos Pradera, a pest control expert who previously expressed concern about the threat the 'mad ant' poses to Barcelona, has revealed that eight regions in Catalonia are now at risk of a tick infestation. In an interview with 'La Vanguardia', Pradera identified the threatened areas as Baix Llobregat, Garraf, Barcelonès, Maresme, Vallès Oriental and Occidental, Baix Penedès and Alt Penedès.
The University of Zaragoza has carried out a recent study that has concluded that no pathogenic viruses for humans are found in Hyalomma lusitanicum ticks, despite their rapid spread throughout Catalonia.
The study focuses mainly on the outskirts of Barcelona and Tarragona, with special emphasis on the urban periphery. A study conducted in 2022 validated the wide prevalence of this tick species in these areas. The discovery has raised concerns because these parasites have the ability to transmit viruses that pose a significant threat to public health, including Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.
Climate change and ticks
Over the last few decades, various research studies have shown that increasing temperatures and climate change have played an important role in the proliferation of ticks in Spain. In addition, these environmental changes have also caused an increase in the populations of animals such as rabbits and wild boar, which They serve as primary hosts for these parasites.
An innovative research effort: metagenomics as a means to improve virus detection.
Agustín Estrada-Peña, researcher at the University of Zaragoza and the Agri-Food Institute of Aragon, has recently carried out a pioneering study on the tick Hyalomma lusitanicum. The study, the first of its kind in Spain, used the metagenomics technique to improve the identification of pathogenic viruses transmitted by this particular tick species. The results of the study have confirmed a low prevalence or possible absence of viruses harmful to humans in ticks collected in Barcelona and Tarragona.
Using this method, researchers have identified four arthropod viruses that do not pose any threat to human or animal health. The effects of these viruses on tick physiology are still unknown. It is important to note, however, that these findings They cannot be applied to other parts of Spain due to variations in climate and ecological factors between different regions.
Furthermore, the findings of this study address the growing concern about the increasing tick population in the Barcelona metropolitan region. The University of Zaragoza has determined that the probability that pathogenic viruses are present in this species in Catalonia is extremely low or non-existent.
The study researchers have successfully demonstrated the importance of metagenomics as a necessary tool to improve and accelerate the identification of pathogenic viruses found in arthropod vectors such as ticks. Using metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatics, they have effectively identified the most relevant viruses present in a single analysis, eliminating the need for multiple tests, as is the case with the PCR technique. This aspect of the study was carried out in collaboration with Nano1Health SL, a company affiliated with the Autonomous University of Barcelona, while the field research was carried out by Carlos Pradera from Anticimex.
How a tick bites
The process by which a tick bites is quite complex and is designed to maximize the chance of feeding while minimizing pain and detection by the host. Ticks are external parasites that attach to the skin of animals, including humans, to feed on their blood. They use chemical signals, heat, and the carbon dioxide exhaled by animals to find their hosts.
Once the tick finds a suitable spot on the skin, it uses its front legs, which have specialized claws, to attach firmly. This insect uses its chelicerae, some knife-shaped structures that it has in its mouth, to make a small incision in the host's skin. During this process, the tick also releases a saliva mixture containing anesthetics, reducing the chance of the host feeling the bite. For this reason, tick bites are often not painful or detectable at first.
After cutting through the skin, the tick inserts a structure called a hypostome, which is a serrated needle-shaped organ, into the wound. This structure acts like a straw to suck blood. The teeth on the hypostome help anchor the tick to the skin, making it difficult to remove.
While feeding, the tick secretes more saliva that contains anticoagulants, which prevents blood from clotting around the bite site, allowing for continuous feeding. The feeding process can last from several minutes to days, depending on the species of tick and its stage of development (larva, nymph or adult).
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the tick plague in Catalonia and prevention.