New species of ticks are spreading in Switzerland

Global warming allows new species of ticks to implement sustainably in Switzerland, and higher altitudes.Image: DPA / UNSPLASH. Nevertheless, Watson assembly

In Switzerland, we would tend to underestimate the risks linked to ticks, despite an increase in their population. For example, We explain everything you need to know about their bites and the diseases they transmit.

Ticks do damage all year round, but it is between May and August that they are most active. In addition, We record the new species ticks spreading switzerland greatest number of bites in June. Similarly, The bites can be harmless or transmit serious pathogens in the blood.

These sometimes cause serious illnesses, such as tick-selling meningoencephalitis (FSME) or borreliosis. However, And the new species of these arachnids that are observed in Switzerland show other health risks.

Which is currently spreading in Switzerland – New species ticks spreading switzerland

The Hyaloma tick is a species that is not from Switzerland. Therefore, but that we meet more and more often. However, Blood -signed. Similarly, it can measure up to two centimeters, almost three times the size of the common tick, widely spread with us.

She has eyes and does not remain passive towards her hosts. Meanwhile, She pursues them new species ticks spreading switzerland vigorously over several meters. Moreover, Coming from Africa and the Mediterranean basin, it was introduced by volatiles.

The Hyalmom (right) tick is not native.Image: DPA

And we must not underestimate the pathogens that this little beast carries. Moreover, Crimea-Congo fever, for example, can lead to death.

Even if all the cases of this disease identified to date have been “imported”. However, the virus could also settle in Switzerland. Moreover, Werner Tischhauser. Similarly, vice-president of the Swiss league against ticks, explains to the Tagesanzeiger:

The tick of the meadows is gaining ground – New species ticks spreading switzerland

The tick of the meadows, also called colored tick or tick of the meadows, also takes more and more its districts on the territory. Nevertheless, It transmits bacteria that cause Tibola syndrome. In addition, The patients suffer from fever, swinging ganglia and skin lesions at the place of the bite. Moreover, Their life is not, however, endangered.

This tick also carries Babesias, small protozoa which attack the red blood cells. Therefore, This causes short-lived pseudo-grapple symptoms in humans. Therefore, The Babesias are also dangerous for dogs. Nevertheless, If they catch canine malaria, they will have to be treated new species ticks spreading switzerland all their lives.

A lack of study in Switzerland on the spread

The brunette tick of the dog. Similarly, which can cause diseases such as Babesiosis or Ehrlichiosis, is also from the Mediterranean and North African basin. Nevertheless, The latter attacks humans and dogs.

Since 2015, there have been more and more bites leading to a tularemia (hare plague). For example, It looks like flu and can be fatal without antibiotics. Meanwhile, Another pathology: the Alongshan virus (ALSV), also in recovery in recent years. He left China. It causes symptoms similar to those of the flu, which is however described as harmless.

With climate change, new new species ticks spreading switzerland species appear in Switzerland.Image: shutterstock.com

Researchers from the University of Zurich detected the ALSV from 2021 and warned against transmission via tick bites. According to Werner Tischhauser, there is currently no study on the spread of new species in Switzerland.

However, a project was recently launched in its institution. Niels Verhulst. entomologist at the Institute of Parasitology, said:

With his team, he takes ticks this summer. The researcher explains:

Why is the danger new species ticks spreading switzerland intensifying?

Global warming partly explains the proliferation of mites, who see their habitat constantly enlarging.

In the regions where it once was too fresh, ticks could settle permanently. The suva reports:

Sweeting winters. wet spring and hot summers are also advantages. Werner Tischhauser explains that:

The month of April is decisive: an increased sun. increasing temperatures are the promise of many bites. In 2023, there were therefore many cases of FSME.

An upward trend that worries

Tick ​​encephalitis (Méningo-Encephalitis Verno-Estivale, or FSME/MEVE) is inflammation of the brain and meninges. Its declaration has new species ticks spreading switzerland been compulsory since 1988. The quantity of cases has increased for some time. At the end of May, we had already declared as much as in previous years at the end of June. And these are only cases recorded following a visit to the doctor. Many people have therefore probably not even noticed that they were affected.

Ditto with regard to unconvolved cases of Lyme Borreliosis. This bacterial infection presents a risk of severe neurological diseases.

The Sentinella system is used to follow its evolution. General practitioners of this network thus declare the medical consultations due to bacterial infection every week. We then extrapolate the result from the whole country. In 2025. the number of cases of borreliosis exceeded the average:

If ticks continue to spread, Lyme disease could strike harder in the future.

Overall, the risk of bite has increased in Switzerland. According to SUVA, there were an average of 10,000 per year between 2012 and 2016, and 15,000 over the period 2020-2024. According to the estimate of Werner Tischhauser. the number of cases not identified is high:

Where is the risk the highest?

Ticks have a large adaptability and support altitude. However, they prefer a mild climate, to the delight of the inhabitants of the mountainous regions. The situation differs in the plain: while Geneva. Lausanne or Friborg have the least ticks, they abound in the Jura, Emmental, Toggenburg or certain parts of the Zurich Oberland.

Image: OFSP, graphic: Watson

And who says marked presence, says high probability of contracting Lyme disease. Currently, the risk linked to this bacterial infection extends to the entire territory. A third of the parasites are infected with borrelies, or even half. We can reassure ourselves by specifying that only 3% of affected people must take antibiotics.

However, the tick encephalitis contamination index remains low, since it is 0.5%. Most of the time. the disease is benign, but it is still necessary to fight against symptoms similar to those of the flu. One in ten people suffer from meningitis, of which there are potential sequelae. There are several deaths each year caused by the FSME, which is new species ticks spreading switzerland better to avoid bites.

In addition, vaccination is recommended in almost all of Switzerland with the exception of Ticino. There were only a few very rare cases there.

How to protect yourself?

Vaccination is the best protection against encephalitis. Doctors recommend it from six years old, and it is covered by basic insurance. In 2024, the Canton of Geneva lowered its recommendation to three years. We then make a reminder each 10 years. But for many experts, that is not enough, as Tischhauser explains:

Vaccination offers the best protection.symbolBild: keystone

There are in parallel other ways to protect yourself. such as wearing long pants and long sleeves in the forest and in high grass, because ticks are fixed on bare skin. Or put on your pants in your socks. You can also wear clear clothes, which make it easier to locate ticks. REPHORS can also help.

Contrary to what we often hear, ticks do not fall from trees. They are posted in the grass or in the bushes until their hosts pick them in passing. They then look for a place of the body well sheltered: behind the ears. the neck, the armpits, the folds of the elbow, the navel, the genital region new species ticks spreading switzerland or the hollow of the knees.

What to do in the event of a bite?

First difficulty: notice the bite. Indeed, ticks manage to “fall asleep” the area, and most of the time, we do not even realize it. Werner Tischhauser testifies:

Ticks should be removed immediately, avoiding crushing them. Because once full, the tick can return the blood pumped to its host, but this time with the pathogens.

In the forest, you should wear long clothes.Image: KEYSTONE

The good manipulation consists in grabbing the tick near its head using a pliers. tick pliers and extracting it by a continuous traction or to remove it with a tick card. However, the tick should not be rotated, as it would amount to crushing it. Finally, the affected area must be disinfecting.

This can then blush, but do not panic: redness disappears after a few days. In the event of swelling. pseudo-scriptable symptoms and formation of a red circle around the bite, a doctor should be viewed. Werner Tischhauser adds on this subject:

Without the possibility of eradicating new species ticks spreading switzerland these animals. everyone would be better to protect themselves. (kek)

(Translated and adapted by Valentine Zenker)