The control of Hyalomma ticks, vectors of the Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus: Where are we now and where are we going?

• Published in: PLoS neglected tropical diseases Vol. 16; no. 11; p. e0010846
• Main Authors: Bonnet, Sarah I, Vourc'h, Gwenaël, Raffetin, Alice, Falchi, Alessandra, Figoni, Julie, Fite, Johanna, Hoch, Thierry, Moutailler, Sara, Quillery, Elsa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Francisco Public Library of Science 17.11.2022; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Acaricides; Agricultural practices; Arachnids; Bacteria; Biology and Life Sciences; Cattle; Context; Control; Crimean hemorrhagic fever; Distribution; Environmental changes; Environmental impact; Fever; Haemorrhage; Health aspects; Hemorrhage; Hyalomma; Immunology; Infectious diseases; Integrated pest management; Life Sciences; Medicine and Health Sciences; Methods; Nanoparticles; Parasitic diseases; Pathogens; Permanent establishment; Pest control; Review; Risk assessment; Risk factors; Risk management; Santé publique et épidémiologie; Tick-borne diseases; Ticks; Tropical diseases; Varieties; Vector control; Vectors; Viruses; West Nile virus; France
• ISSN: 1935-2735; 1935-2727; 1935-2735
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010846

At a time of major global, societal, and environmental changes, the shifting distribution of pathogen vectors represents a real danger in certain regions of the world as generating opportunities for emergency. For example, the recent arrival of the Hyalomma marginatum ticks in southern France and the concurrent appearance of cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF)-a disease vectored by this tick species-in neighboring Spain raises many concerns about the associated risks for the European continent. This context has created an urgent need for effective methods for control, surveillance, and risk assessment for ticks and tick-borne diseases with a particular concern regarding Hyalomma sp. Here, we then review the current body of knowledge on different methods of tick control-including chemical, biological, genetical, immunological, and ecological methods-and the latest developments in the field, with a focus on those that have been tested against ticks from the genus Hyalomma. In the absence of a fully and unique efficient approach, we demonstrated that integrated pest management combining several approaches adapted to the local context and species is currently the best strategy for tick control together with a rational use of acaricide. Continued efforts are needed to develop and implement new and innovative methods of tick control.