Danger! Report ticks: Nature Conservation Association calls for action!

Danger! Report ticks: Nature Conservation Association calls for action!

In Brandenburg, the German Nature Conservation Association (Nabu) is calling on the population to report ticks they find. This initiative is not only a call for attention, but also part of a broader project to analyze tick distribution in the context of climate change. Nabu invites citizens to take photos of ticks that they find, for example, in the back of the knee or armpit. It is important that the ticks are removed before taking photographs in order to enable precise species identification. The campaign is carried out in collaboration with the Hannover University of Veterinary Medicine and aims to investigate the spread of colored ticks and other species that can transmit potentially dangerous diseases, such as Lyme disease and TBE.

The topic is particularly relevant for the districts of Elbe-Elster, Oberspreewald-Lausitz, Oder-Spree, Spree-Neiße and Frankfurt Oder, as these are considered TBE risk areas. According to n-tv, the ticks are discovered not only in forests, but also in parks and zoos, which emphasizes their spread through a wide variety of environments. The meadow tick and the common wood tick are the main causes of human tick bites, and the humidity and moderate temperatures provide them with ideal living conditions.

Growing health risks

The spread of ticks and their vectors is further encouraged by climate change. According to a new report from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), global warming increases the risk of infectious diseases as temperatures promote the proliferation of bacteria and virus vectors such as ticks. It is predicted that new species of ticks, such as the Hyalomma tick, will become more and more widespread in Germany and can transmit serious diseases such as typhus. Tagesschau reports that two thirds of infectious disease pathogens are considered climate-sensitive.

In addition, tropical species such as the Asian tiger mosquito are already native to southwestern regions of Germany and cities like Berlin. This mosquito can transmit dangerous viruses such as dengue and Zika viruses. The consequences of climate change are far-reaching and make educating the population about tick protection and TBE vaccination all the more important.

A call for participation

The Nabu campaign to report ticks not only represents an important contribution to research, but also makes it clear that every individual can make a contribution. Pet owners are asked to also report ticks on their pets. The photos provided by citizens help to better categorize the different species of ticks and analyze their distribution.

As the challenges posed by climate change increase, health authorities are faced with the task of preparing for an increase in cases of infection. Heat waves already pose a health risk, particularly for older people and those with underlying health conditions. With the increasing number of hot days and the spread of pathogens caused by ticks, the need to adapt the health system accordingly in order to effectively counter impending health risks becomes clear.

In Brandenburg it is important to be vigilant and act actively. Reporting ticks can be a simple but effective way to contribute to conservation and your own health. Only together can we overcome the challenges of climate change and curb the spread of ticks and their dangerous pathogens.