How dangerous is the green tick to humans? - briefly
The green tick (Ixodes scapularis) transmits Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis, representing a significant health threat when it remains attached for more than 36 hours. Immediate removal and preventive practices markedly lower infection risk.
How dangerous is the green tick to humans? - in detail
The green tick (Ixodes ricinus) is a common ectoparasite in temperate Europe and parts of Asia. It attaches to skin for several days to complete a blood meal, during which it can transfer a range of pathogenic agents.
Pathogens transmitted
- Borrelia burgdorferi complex – causative agent of Lyme disease; early symptoms include erythema migrans, fever, headache; untreated infection may progress to arthritis, neurologic deficits, or cardiac involvement.
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum – causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis; presents with fever, chills, myalgia, leukopenia; antibiotic therapy is effective if started promptly.
- Babesia divergens – responsible for babesiosis; hemolytic anemia and high fever may develop, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
- Tick‑borne encephalitis virus – leads to biphasic flu‑like illness followed by meningitis or encephalitis; long‑term neurological sequelae occur in a minority of cases.
- Rickettsia spp. – produce spotted fever; rash and fever are typical, with prompt doxycycline treatment preventing complications.
Incidence and severity
- Annual bite reports range from 200 000 to 400 000 in Europe; infection rates vary by region, tick density, and host animal prevalence.
- Approximately 10 % of bites result in pathogen transmission, depending on attachment duration (≥24 h for most bacteria, ≥48 h for viruses).
- Mortality is low (<1 %); most severe outcomes arise from delayed diagnosis or underlying immunosuppression.
Risk factors
- Outdoor activities in forested or grassland areas during spring and early summer.
- Absence of protective clothing or repellents.
- Presence of reservoir hosts (rodents, deer) that sustain pathogen cycles.
- Age groups with reduced immune response (elderly, children) exhibit higher complication rates.
Prevention and management
- Wear long sleeves, trousers, and tuck clothing to create a barrier.
- Apply EPA‑approved repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 to skin and clothing.
- Perform systematic tick checks after exposure; remove attached ticks within 12 h using fine‑point tweezers, grasping close to the mouthparts and pulling upward with steady pressure.
- Seek medical evaluation if a bite persists beyond 24 h, if a rash develops, or if systemic symptoms appear.
- Prophylactic doxycycline (200 mg single dose) may be prescribed within 72 h of a confirmed bite in high‑risk areas for Lyme disease.
The green tick therefore poses a measurable health threat, primarily through bacterial and viral infections that can be mitigated by prompt removal, protective measures, and early therapeutic intervention.