Detection of Borrelia and Babesia species in Haemaphysalis punctata ticks sampled in Southern England

The distribution and population size of the red sheep tick (Haemaphysalis punctata) are increasing in Northern Europe, and in the United Kingdom reports of human biting by this species have increased in recent years. To assess the risk of tick-borne disease (TBD) transmission to humans and livestock by H. punctata, ticks sampled from sites in Southern England were screened using PCR for either Borrelia species or piroplasms over a three year period, 2018-2020. A total of 302 H. punctata were collected from eight locations. From these, two Babesia species associated with TBD infections in livestock, Babesia major and Babesia motasi, and the human pathogen Borrelia miyamotoi were detected, predominantly from a single location in Sussex. Consequently, the range expansion of this tick across Southern England may impact public and livestock health.

Automated summary

The distribution and population size of red sheep ticks are increasing in Northern Europe and the United Kingdom. Reports of human biting by this species have also increased in recent years. PCR screening of ticks collected from sites in Southern England over a three year period revealed the presence of Babesia species associated with TBD infections in livestock, as well as the human pathogen Borrelia miyamotoi. These findings suggest that the expansion of this tick species in Southern England may pose risks to public and livestock health.