The detection of three new Haemaphysalis ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Singapore and their potential threat for public health, companion animals, and wildlife

Abstract

Efforts to safeguard human and animal health against ticks and tick-borne diseases are principally reliant on careful surveillance. Within Singapore, the importance of ticks and tick-borne diseases is increasingly recognized. However, developing foundational knowledge of the local diversity of ticks and tick-borne microbes, as well as their ecology, is ongoing. Nation-wide surveillance efforts revealed the presence of three previously unreported species of Haemaphysalis from Singapore, namely: H. bispinosa, H. hystricis, and H. wellingtoni. All three species are known to feed on humans and appear to have established populations within Singapore. We record the first infestation of humans by H. hystricis and H. wellingtoni within Singapore and present all known local host records from these three newly detected tick species. The threat posed by these species to local public health, companion animals, and wildlife is discussed.