Tick activity decreases in Khabarovsk region
In the Khabarovsk Krai region of Russia, a significant decrease in tick activity has been observed, although the exact reasons for this decline remain unclear. Environmental factors such as climate changes and habitat disruptions, or successful pest control measures, may be contributing to this decrease, but more specific detailed explanations are currently lacking.
For those who have found ticks on pets, livestock, or themselves, the process of submitting them for testing is straightforward. Ticks should be collected carefully, preserved in a sealed container, and sent to official veterinary or public health laboratories that conduct molecular analysis to detect pathogens. In Michigan, for example, ticks found on animals are submitted to the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab for testing.
While the exact submission guidelines for Khabarovsk Krai aren't provided, the typical practice involves sending the tick specimen to a relevant health or veterinary lab. The testing process generally involves sterilizing the tick externally to remove contaminants, then breaking it down chemically and mechanically to extract its DNA/RNA for analysis to identify organisms within the tick, such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses. This allows for studying tick genetics and any potential pathogens they carry, including novel viruses.
The Khabarovsk Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of Rospotrebnadzor is one such laboratory that accepts tick submissions. The Institute, located at 2, Shevchenko Street, is open for tick submissions from 8 am to 4 pm on weekdays. However, it's important to note that the Institute does not operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Specifically, it is closed on weekdays from 4 pm to 10 am, and on weekends from 1 pm on Saturday to 10 am on Monday. On weekends, the Institute does accept tick submissions from 10 am to 1 pm.
For those interested in submitting ticks for testing, contacting local health or veterinary services would be the best step to learn the exact procedures for tick submission and testing in Khabarovsk Krai. Additionally, the regional office of Rospotrebnadzor has reported a decrease in the number of people seeking medical help by almost 50% compared to the previous week, which may further indicate a decrease in tick-borne diseases.
For more information, you can contact the Khabarovsk Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of Rospotrebnadzor by phone at 32-54-63.
- Given the decrease in tick activity in the Khabarovsk Krai region, it might be beneficial to conduct health-and-wellness research on tick-borne diseases using samples collected from ticks in the area.
- In order to better understand the science behind the decrease in tick activity in the Khabarovsk Krai region, fitness-and-exercise programs promoting tick checks and removal could be implemented to reduce the potential spread of diseases.
