By
Jeremy Attali
Published on
June 15, 2024 at 6:02 a.m.
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The return of sunny days, in Marseille and in Bouches-du-Rhône, often means walks and hikes.
Be careful, however: a “giant” tickpresent in 11 departments in total, is likely to transmit hemorrhagic fever to humans, specifies the site UFC-Que Choisir. Here are more details.
Ticks measuring up to 8 mm
Ticks are nothing exceptional in Provence and have been for many decades. But the “giant” Hyalomma marginatum ticks, which can be twice as large (up to 8 mm) as the more well-known and common Ixodes ricinus, are also present in the department.
This species can transmit to humans Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. Affected people could then suffer from flu-like symptoms such as fever, pain or digestive problems.
Be careful when in contact with certain animals
“In more serious cases, patients suffer from hemorrhages and organ failure,” explains UFC-Que Choisir. “To date, no human cases have been declared in France, but caution is recommended when going out into nature.” This also concerns people likely to be in contact with livestock: “Contact with the fresh blood of animals can transmit the virus.”
How to protect yourself from Hyalomma marginatum ticks?
Whatever the species of tick, the precautions remain the same to protect yourself from it: preferably wear covering and light-colored clothing, wear closed shoes during your excursions and inspect your clothing at the end of each outing. and the different parts of his body.
This tick is present in the following eleven French departments: Alpes-Maritimes, Ardèche, Aude, Bouches-du-Rhône, Corse-du-Sud, Drôme, Gard, Haute-Corse, Hérault, Pyrénées-Orientales and Var.
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