The tick phenomenon is intensifying in the Lake Garda region, with an increase in at-risk areas. The Edmund Mach Foundation has found that climate change is stimulating early tick activity in Trentino as well.
According to the Edmund Mach Foundation, the increase in average temperatures during the winter months reduces the hibernation period of ticks, leading to their early activity. The most common species, Ixodes ricinus, typically goes into winter diapause under leaves, rocks, or snow. However, as soon as temperatures exceed 7-10°C, these ticks start searching for a host to feed on and complete their development cycle.
While the peak activity period is usually from May to mid-June, in recent years it has become common to encounter these parasites as early as March and April if temperatures are above average. This phenomenon has also been observed this year in wooded and bushy areas from the valley floor up to 1200-1400 meters.
Ticks can be carriers of dangerous diseases for humans and animals. The most common diseases in the area are Lyme disease and Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE). Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium and requires antibiotic treatment if contracted. Tick-Borne Encephalitis, on the other hand, is transmitted by a virus, and the Provincial Health Services Agency offers free vaccination against this disease to residents.
The Applied Ecology Unit of the FEM has been monitoring the presence of pathogens in tick populations in the province of Trento for over twenty years. This monitoring is done by collecting ticks directly from hosts such as wild rodents, as well as from the surrounding vegetation.
Based on the collected data, risk maps and predictive models are produced to prevent potential epidemics. In 2024, this activity will continue with particular attention to the Valle dei Laghi, where wild rodents are the main reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens.
The research activity will also extend to other areas of Trentino affected by the Vaia storm. The data collected so far indicate an increase in tick populations in these areas, suggesting that extreme weather events contribute to the increased health risk associated with tick-borne pathogens.
The objective will be to study how the presence of animals in the storm-affected areas can influence the risk of disease transmission by ticks.
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