Tracking Hyalomma: How Citizen Science Follows the Journey of Tropical Ticks Across Europe

Ticks of the genus Hyalomma are important vectors of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) and other pathogens, such as Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma marginale. These thermophilic ticks, introduced to Central Europe by migrating birds, seem increasingly capable of surviving and developing in the region, likely due to warmer and drier seasons. Understanding their expansion relies not only on field monitoring and molecular analyses but also on citizen science, which plays a key role in tracking tick occurrence on humans, domestic animals, and in the environment. Public involvement greatly enhances surveillance capacity and helps assess emerging health risks associated with Hyalomma in Poland and beyond.