At Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, researchers are investigating which regions have high tick concentrations and what types of viral and bacterial diseases these ticks may cause.
A joint project carried out by OMU Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the Wildlife Research Institute, and the Samsun Veterinary Control Institute is developing a risk map of tick-borne diseases in the Samsun, Sinop, and Tokat provinces by analyzing ticks collected from the wild.
In addition to studies on Ixodes ticks, which are known to cause Lyme disease, the project also involves the detection of other pathogens, including anaplasmosis, rickettsiosis, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).
As of 2024, research has expanded to include not only Lyme disease but also other tick-borne pathogens such as those responsible for anaplasmosis, rickettsiosis, CCHF, and TBE.
In the course of the studies, Ixodes ricinus ticks were predominantly found in Samsun, especially in the Kızılırmak Delta; Rhipicephalus and Ixodes ricinus species were common in Sinop; and Hyalomma marginatum, the main vector of CCHF, was identified in the Tokat region.
Ticks collected during seasonal fieldwork are identified at the species level under a stereomicroscope that allows for 3D imaging. The pathogens carried by these ticks are then detected using molecular methods.
Prof. Dr. Özlem Büyüktanır Yaş, faculty member in OMU’s Department of Microbiology and Head of the Department of Wildlife Diseases and Rehabilitation, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that they have been studying tick-borne diseases for nearly a decade.
She noted that the study is expected to conclude by the end of the year, and that the risk map will be created based on the data collected. She also stated that the research began by analyzing ticks collected from farm animals in the Samsun-Sinop region.
Prof. Dr. Yaş emphasized that tick-borne diseases are significant for both public and animal health.
Prof. Dr. Yaş noted that the Kızılırmak Delta Bird Sanctuary is one of the most important habitats for migratory birds and that these birds also carry ticks. She explained:
“We first collected ticks from birds in the Kızılırmak Delta. Ticks on migratory birds are highly significant. Ticks are not limited to rodents, small mammals, farm animals, or reptiles—they are also found on birds and many carry various pathogens.”
Highlighting that Türkiye is home to various tick species and that its climate is highly suitable for tick survival, Prof. Dr. Yaş continued:
“Recently, due to climate change, there has been a significant increase in the tick population. The emergence of CCHF in 2002 and the subsequent deaths made it one of the most dangerous tick-borne diseases. In May of last year, we collected ticks from wild animals in Samsun, Sinop, and Tokat for identification. We use microscopy for classification and confirm the findings with PCR. First, determining the density and distribution of the tick population is crucial. Then, through molecular studies, we continue to identify bacterial and viral pathogens, including the CCHF virus.”
Prof. Dr. Yaş stated that Tokat was specifically chosen for its association with CCHF and other viral pathogens and emphasized:
“Wild animals are important reservoirs for ticks. Ticks are transmitted from wild animals to farm animals and from there to humans. Understanding the tick population is essential. We identify the disease agents carried by ticks, whether viral or bacterial.”
She also stressed that identifying the tick population is vital for disease prevention:
“Determining the pathogens—whether viruses or bacteria—carried by ticks is extremely important. In Türkiye, we are mapping out these risks. Knowing which diseases are transmitted by ticks is crucial for public and animal health and plays a significant role in shaping strategies by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.”
Prof. Dr. Yaş mentioned that during fieldwork, they raise awareness among citizens about how to safely remove ticks from animals. She added:
“We emphasize the importance of regularly checking animals for ticks. We advise people venturing into rural areas to wear light-colored, fully covering clothes, tuck their socks over their pants, and shower and check their bodies upon returning home. If they find a tick, they should go to a healthcare facility to have it removed by a professional. If that’s not possible, they can use tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull it out directly. They should never touch it with bare hands.”
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