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KMID : 1143420170100100239
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Public Health Weekly Report
2017 Volume.10 No. 10 p.239 ~ p.245
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Geographical distribution of Ixodid ticks in the Republic of Korea, 2015
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Song Bong-Goo
Lee Wook-Gyo
Ju Young-Ran
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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Ixodid ticks play an important role in the transmission of viral, rickettsial, bacterial and parasitic pathogens which cause spotted fever, Lyme disease, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), and Q fever. To prevent the potential spread of tick-borne diseases, we have monitored the distribution of ticks and their abundance every year at several sites since 2010. However, a recent increasing trend in reported cases of the tick-borne diseases has shown a need to establish nationwide surveillance for ticks. This investigation was conducted to estimate the monthly prevalence and distribution patterns of Ixodid ticks in 2015.
METHODOLOGY/RESULTS: From April to November 2015, Ixodid ticks were collected at 29 sites in 10 areas in the Republic of Korea. We investigated the distribution of ticks using dry-ice bait traps and a flagging method. A total of 29,992 ixodid ticks were composed of three genera and seven species. Among them, the Genus Haemaphysalis, Ixodes, and Amblyomma accounted for 29,751 (99.2%), 223 (0.7%) and 18 (0.1%), respectively. The highest number of ticks (n=6,540, 21.8%) was collected in the region around the Seoul capital area, followed by the Chungbuk area (n=5,049, 16.8%). Based on the different environmental conditions, the Genus Haemaphysalis was mostly collected in grassland sites, whereas Genus Ixodes was collected in coniferous forest sites.
CONCLUSION: This survey was conducted nationwide in 2015. Haemaphysalis longicornis, known as a SFTS main vector, was widely distributed throughout the whole country. The species was prevalent in most environmental conditions, and its high activity was mainly observed from May to September. Hence, wearing personal protective apparel against tick-borne diseases is advised during these months. In addition, we need to continuously expand the areas of investigation and monitoring periods on the tick populations to ensure public health.
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KEYWORD
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