Ticks crossing the mare nostrum, what risks?

Abstract

The Mediterranean basin is a densely populated region of the world since several centuries, this region is facing nowadays very important changes: economic, demographic, ecological, climatic changes... These changes caused modifications and even upheaval of the epidemiology of several human and animal diseases. The epidemiology of tick-borne infections (TBI) was dramatically modified in this region mainly because of the adaptive capacity of ticks invading several new biotopes. Migratory birds represent the most important source of exotic ticks in the Mediterranean basin. Indeed, a big migratory avifauna biomass crosses the Mediterranean Sea through three migratory flyways importing ticks but also tick-borne pathogens that could then install in new geographic regions. Several cases of tick-borne pathogens' introductions by birds were reported by several authors proving that this risk is high and persistent in time. Setting up a mixed permanent scientific committee grouping European, African and West Asiatic acarologists could guarantee a better surveillance of ixodid fauna transported by migratory avifauna and to communicate on risks in relation to the introduction of new tick species and tick-borne diseases.