Tick-Borne Natural Focal Infections in the Territory of the Rostov Region. Part 1. The Fauna of <i>Ixodidae</i> Ticks

Investigation of the fauna of Ixodidae ticks in the territory of the Rostov Region resulted in identification of the seven species belonging to five genera – Hyalomma, Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus, Ixodes, Haemaphysalis: H. m. marginatum, H. scupense, D. marginatus, R. rossicus, I. ricinus, I. laguri and Haem. punctata. Continuous expansion of H. m. marginatum to the northern part of the region was observed. Analysis of spatial distribution of H. m. marginatum as well as D. marginatus, R. rossicus, I. ricinusand other ticks using average indices of their long-term abundance permitted to identify groups of areas with low, increased and high indices of tick abundance. This allowed to determine potential risk areas, with the presence of vectors and a reservoir of tick-borne infections as Crimean hemorrhagic fever, Q fever and tick-borne borrelioses. The results obtained in the investigation could serve as a basis for carrying out epizootic surveys and implementation of specified preventive measures