First report of human exposure to Hyalomma marginatum in England: Further evidence of a Hyalomma moulting event in north-western Europe?

L McGinley; K M Hansford; B Cull; E L Gillingham; D P Carter; J F Chamberlain; L M Hernandez-Triana; L P Phipps; J M Medlock

doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101541

First report of human exposure to Hyalomma marginatum in England: Further evidence of a Hyalomma moulting event in north-western Europe?

Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2021 Jan;12(1):101541. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101541. Epub 2020 Sep 10.

Authors

L McGinley¹, K M Hansford², B Cull³, E L Gillingham², D P Carter⁴, J F Chamberlain⁵, L M Hernandez-Triana⁶, L P Phipps⁶, J M Medlock²

Affiliations

¹ Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK. Electronic address: liz.mcginley@phe.gov.uk.
² Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, UK.
³ Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK.
⁴ Genomics of Rare and Emerging Human Pathogens, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK.
⁵ Virology and Pathogenesis, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK.
⁶ Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Research Group, Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK.

PMID: 33007668
DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101541

Abstract

Hyalomma marginatum is widely distributed across the Mediterranean, Northern Africa and the Middle East. Current climate conditions in Northern Europe are thought to limit the species' ability to moult to the adult stage. It is a vector of several pathogens of human and veterinary concern, including Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, for which it is the primary vector in Europe. Here, we report the first human exposure to a locally acquired adult H. marginatum in England, and the second detection in England of Rickettsia aeschlimannii associated with imported Hyalomma.

Keywords: Hyalomma; Importation; Public health; Rickettsia aeschlimannii.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animal Distribution*
Animals
DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic
England
Host-Parasite Interactions
Humans
Ixodidae / classification
Ixodidae / physiology*
Male