IXODID TICKS AND THEIR TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS IN SOUTHWESTERN KARELIA (LAHDENPOKHSKY DISTRICT, RUSSSIA)

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Abstract

The paper presents new data on the species composition, distribution, and abundance of ixodid ticks of medical significance in the southwest of the Republic of Karelia (Lakhdenpokhsky District). Ticks were collected from vegetation in May–June and August 2015 and 2023–2025. Ixodes ricinus is widespread in the study area and predominates in the ixodid tick collections (94 %), with relative abundances of 0.6 and 2.0 specimens per flag-km in May–June and August, respectively. The second species, I. persulcatus, was recorded only in May–June in the northwest of the district with an abundance of 0.1 specimens per flag-km. Analysis of adult I. ricinus and I. persulcatus ticks for the presence of tick-borne encephalitis virus did not reveal positive results. Thus, the Lakhdenpokhsky region currently remains the only large area where I. ricinus is widespread and dominant. The epidemiological situation in this region is more favorable than in other areas of the republic, due to the low numbers of I. persulcatus and I. ricinus, as well as their infection with pathogens that cause particularly dangerous infections.

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