Veterinary session

The periodic appearance of Hyalomma rufipes and Hyalomma marginatum ticks in Hungary has been known for centuries. These non-native species arrive in our country primarily from Africa, feeding on migratory birds. The public and animal health importance of these parasites lies primarily in the spread of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus. In 2022, researchers from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Budapest discovered, for the first time in Europe, a reproducing population of H. rufipes in the vicinity of the Kis-Balaton. The aim of the research was to investigate the viability and potencial size of this population. To assess this, between 2022 and 2024, a total of 1502 ticks were collected from nine animal species, both through personal collection and with the help of veterinarians and experts working in the affected area. Although several native tick species (Dermacentor spp., Ixodes spp., Haemaphysalis spp.) were present in the study area, no species of the genus Hyalomma were found. Nevertheless, a male individual of the invasive species Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.s. was identified in the area, providing further evidence of the native presence of this species. Although our surveys could not confirm the persistence of the H. rufipes population found in 2022, the nature of the research does not allow us to completely exclude it. The significance of this result is nevertheless outstanding, as it greatly contributes to the assessment of future epidemiological risks and a better understanding of the Hungarian tick fauna. Such monitoring studies are essential for the development of effective prevention and control strategies.