Progress in research on tick-borne diseases and vector ticks
Author of the article:YU Zhi-Jun** LIU Jing-Ze***
Author's Workplace：College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, China
Key Words：ticks, tick-borne diseases, tick-borne pathogens, vector ticks, reservoir host
Abstract： As obligate blood-sucking ecto-parasites, ticks transmit a great variety of pathogens that have a significant adverse effect on the health of humans, livestock and wild animals. Many ticks and tick-borne diseases are widely distributed in China’s ecologically diverse range of habitats. Human contact with ticks, and the incidence of tick-borne diseases, are increasing with economic development and the increased exploitation of forestry and livestock production. Some new tick-borne diseases are emerging, and the threat posed by ticks to public health is becoming increasingly recognized. This paper describes the occurrence and distribution of the vectors of important tick-borne diseases found in China, which will provide a basis for subsequent systematic research and the integrated control of ticks and tick-borne diseases.