Istanbul ticks and tick-borne biohazards: Risk in the metropolis

Öz

Ticks are hematophagous arthropods capable of transmitting over 200 different pathogens, playing a critical role as biological vectors in the spread of numerous zoonotic diseases. In recent years, tick-borne diseases have emerged as growing public health concerns in Turkey, particularly in urbanized and ecologically diverse regions like Istanbul. The city’s unique geographical location, varying climate zones, and rich biodiversity make it a favorable environment for the proliferation of various tick species. Predominant species such as Ixodes ricinus, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma aegyptium, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus are recognized vectors of serious infections, including Lyme borreliosis, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Mediterranean spotted fever. Migratory birds, which use Istanbul as a stopover, contribute to the introduction of exotic tick species and associated pathogens. Furthermore, rapid urbanization and the expansion of recreational activities such as hiking and camping increase human exposure to tick habitats, thereby raising epidemiological risks. Studies have confirmed the presence of pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi, CCHFV, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks collected from both humans and animals in the region. Despite the absence of locally acquired CCHF cases, the detection of viral genomes in questing ticks suggests a latent but significant threat. In light of these findings, it is imperative to implement continuous tick surveillance, strengthen public awareness, and develop integrated vector control strategies to mitigate the risk of tick-borne diseases in Istanbul, a globally significant metropolis.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Ticks
• zoonotic diseases
• vector-borne infections
• Istanbul
• Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
• Lyme disease
• public health

İstanbul keneleri ve kene kaynaklı biyotehlikeleri: Metropoldeki risk

Öz

Keneler, dünya genelinde 200’den fazla patojeni taşıyabilen kan emici artropodlar olup, birçok zoonotik hastalığın biyolojik vektörüdür. Türkiye’de özellikle son yıllarda artan vakalarla dikkat çeken kene kaynaklı hastalıklar, İstanbul gibi büyük şehirlerde de halk sağlığı açısından ciddi bir risk teşkil etmektedir. İstanbul’un sahip olduğu iklim çeşitliliği, zengin doğal alanları ve artan şehirleşme, kene popülasyonlarının çeşitlenmesine ve yayılmasına elverişli bir ortam sunmaktadır. Özellikle Ixodes ricinus, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma aegyptium ve Rhipicephalus sanguineus gibi türler, Lyme hastalığı, Kırım-Kongo Kanamalı Ateşi (KKKA), Anaplazmoz, Babezyoz ve Akdeniz Benekli Ateşi gibi ciddi hastalıkların vektörüdür. Göçmen kuşlarla taşınan keneler, İstanbul’a egzotik türlerin ulaşmasına ve yerleşmesine neden olabilmektedir. Şehirleşmenin doğal yaşam alanlarına yayılması, insanların kenelerle temasını artırmakta; doğa yürüyüşleri, kamp ve piknik gibi rekreasyonel faaliyetler bu riski daha da yükseltmektedir. Literatür, İstanbul’da insanlardan ve hayvanlardan toplanan kenelerde KKKA virüsü, Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum ve diğer önemli patojenlerin tespit edildiğini göstermektedir. Bu durum, İstanbul’un kene kaynaklı hastalıklar açısından potansiyel bir tehlike bölgesi olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Bu nedenle, düzenli epidemiyolojik izleme çalışmaları, vektör kontrol programlarının uygulanması ve halk sağlığı bilincinin artırılması büyük önem taşımaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Keneler
• zoonotik hastalıklar
• vektör
• İstanbul
• Kırım-Kongo Kanamalı Ateşi
• Lyme hastalığı
• halk sağlığı

Kaynakça

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