Has the red sheep tick, Haemaphysalis punctata, recently expanded its range in England?

Abstract

The red sheep tick, Haemaphysalis punctata (Ixodida: Ixodidae), has been reported as present in the U.K. for more than a century; however, very little has been written about its distribution. In recent years, numbers of detections of this tick species reported to the Public Health England (PHE) Tick Surveillance Scheme have increased. This rise in the number of records may be attributable to increased tick surveillance activities or to the increased distribution of this species of tick in parts of England. This paper reviews published reports of H. punctata and all data held by the Biological Records Centre and PHE, and summarizes a number of field studies conducted by PHE and the Animal and Plant Health Agency over the past 8 years. It would appear from the evidence presented here that H. punctata may be expanding its range across the eastern part of the South Downs National Park, where there have also been reports of this tick species biting humans. It is possible that the movement of sheep between grassland sites is facilitating this spread. Further studies that better elucidate the ecology of this tick and its possible role as a vector of human and veterinary diseases are now warranted.

Impact of abiotic factors, habitat type and urban wildlife on the ecology of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in urban and peri-urban habitats

“…2; Table 6). Still, the high number of H. punctata ticks in Făget forest could be linked to the presence of a sheep stable close to the flagged meadows, which ensured appropriate hosts for this tick's development [52]. The urban cemetery recorded the lowest AIG probably because of the lack of vegetated soil surface (high density of concrete memorial constructions, charnels, and concrete pavements restricting the surface of green belts and connective vegetation), while the surrounding concrete fence also limited the access of tick hosts, except birds [49].…”

Assessment of the Public Health Threats Posed by Vector-Borne Disease in the United Kingdom (UK)

“…The main tick species of public health concern is the sheep/deer tick, Ixodes ricinus L. ( Figure 4 ), which is reported to be changing its distribution across Europe [ 77 ]. There are also reports of human biting from the hedgehog tick, Ixodes hexagonus , the red sheep tick Haemaphysalis punctata Canestrini & Fanzago, and very occasionally from the Ornate Cow tick Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius) [ 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 ]. Data on the distribution of our native and indeed non-native tick species have been recorded for over one hundred years [ 82 ].…”

“…However, recent evidence from the TSS shows a greater frequency of submissions in the last few years and an increased number of reports of human biting [ 79 ]. Recent evidence [ 81 ] suggests an apparent spread of H. punctata in the eastern part of the South Downs in East Sussex. Although there are historic records in this area, an increase in reporting around the Lewes—Eastbourne area suggest that these ticks are more abundant than they were and they are causing increased human biting.…”

“…Anecdotal evidence from farmers is being reported that ewes with heavy tick burdens are giving birth prematurely, with significantly higher numbers of abortions, particularly in naïve sheep that are new to the area. Whether H. punctata is involved remains uncertain, however the increased number of records coming into the TSS, including cases of human biting, and the increased number of confirmed established populations identified through field surveys suggest that the status of this tick may be changing [ 81 ]. Based on the current distribution of the tick and its observed habitat preference, with tick density of H. punctata highest in grazed grasslands, it would seem likely that H. punctata may spread to other sheep-grazed grasslands across East Sussex and perhaps beyond.…”

First report of fatal tick pyaemia caused by heavy infestation with the red sheep tick, Haemaphysalis punctata and co‐infection with Babesia and Theileria species

“…The epidemiology of tick pyaemia is closely related to the biology of Ixodes ricinus (the sheep tick) which is the most common and widely distributed tick in Great Britain 6. Other tick species are present in Great Britain and in recent years the number of detections of Haemaphysalis punctata (the red sheep tick) and its geographical distribution is believed to have increased particularly in Southern England 7. In parallel, an increased number of reports of heavy infestations of ticks on sheep and associated illness in lambs have been described in this region 8…”