← Back to Tick Species
Species overviewEurope Asia and Africa

What is Hyalomma marginatum?

Hyalomma marginatum is a relatively large, active hard tick occurring across parts of southern Europe, Africa and Asia. It is an important vector of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in affected regions.

Reviewed by VuxLore® Knowledge Team For Residents, travellers and animal professionals

Short answer

Hyalomma marginatum is a relatively large, active hard tick occurring across parts of southern Europe, Africa and Asia. It is an important vector of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in affected regions.

At a glance

Hyalomma ticks can move actively towards a potential host rather than relying only on passive questing. Geographic risk must be interpreted using current surveillance.

Key takeaways

• It has banded-looking legs in typical adult specimens.

• Migratory birds can transport immature ticks.

• Suspected unusual ticks should follow national reporting guidance.

A mobile host-seeker

Hyalomma behaviour and appearance differ from the familiar Ixodes ticks of northern European woodland. Adults often use large mammals as hosts, while immature stages may feed on smaller animals and birds.

A regional public-health concern

WHO identifies Hyalomma as the principal vector group for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. The disease is not distributed everywhere the genus is recorded, and a tick's appearance cannot diagnose infection.

Sources and further reading

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: Tick factsheets

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: Tick maps

World Health Organization: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever