Ticks and Tick-borne diseases in Ireland.
Throughout Europe interest in tick-borne agents is increasing, particularly with regard to those that can cause human disease. The reason for this is the apparent rise in the incidence of many tick-borne diseases (TBD's). While there has never been a national survey of ticks or TBD's in Ireland, the trend here appears to be the reverse with a decline in the incidence of some agents seemingly associated with decreasing tick numbers particularly on agricultural land. In the absence of robust baseline data, however, this development cannot be confirmed. This review collates the limited information available from several dated published records on tick species and a small number of studies focused on certain TBD's. Some pilot data on tick density and TBD agents collected in 2016 are also presented. The aim is to explore the particular situation in Ireland with regard to ticks and TBD's and to provide a reference for future workers in the field.
UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
Annetta
A
Zintl
UMR BIPAR, ANSES, INRA, ENVA, Animal Health Laboratory, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
Sara
S
Moutailler
Department of Zoology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Peter
P
Stuart
Department of Zoology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Linda
L
Paredis
Ecole Nationale Veterinaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
Justine
J
Dutraive
Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France.
Estelle
E
Gonzalez
MSD Animal Health, Dublin, Ireland.
Jack
J
O'Connor
UMR BIPAR, ANSES, INRA, ENVA, Animal Health Laboratory, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
Elodie
E
Devillers
Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Athenry, Co. Galway Ireland.
Barbara
B
Good
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Sligo Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Sligo, Ireland.
Colm
C
OMuireagain
UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
Theo
T
De Waal
MSD Animal Health, Dublin, Ireland.
Fergal
F
Morris
School of Biology and Environmental Science (Emeritus Professor), University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
Jeremy
J
Gray
Anaplasma; Babesia; Borrelia; Ixodes ricinus; Louping ill; Tick-borne diseases; Ticks