UK Ticks Carrying Deadly Virus Survive Longer Due to Climate Change, Expert Says
Experts warn UK ticks carrying deadly viruses are surviving longer due to climate change. Learn how heatwaves and migratory birds impact tick populations.
POLICY WIRE — London, United Kingdom — A leading expert has raised concerns that ticks in the UK carrying life-threatening viruses are living longer, citing the increasing frequency of heatwaves as a contributing factor.
The extended lifespan of these ticks is linked to their complex life cycle, which involves feeding on various hosts at each stage. Some species, like the brown dog tick, can remain on a single host throughout their development, while others require multiple animals, making them vulnerable to environmental changes.
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Research indicates that migratory birds play a role in spreading ticks across regions, with studies showing that over half of the bird species examined in Egypt were found to carry ticks. Additionally, larvae hatch in the summer and seek their first blood meal, often from small animals that may already be infected with pathogens such as the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
