Climate change is driving higher temperatures earlier in the year, and ticks appear sooner in many regions. In Spain, Catalonia, Andalusia, Castilla y León, and Aragón report that tick activity is starting earlier than expected. Experts note that the species is moving into new areas and seasons are shifting, bringing tick-related risks forward by roughly a month in some places.
Two months ago, in Dos Hermanas, Seville, a spring concert was interrupted by a surge of ticks occupying public seating. City authorities chose to postpone the event for health reasons to prevent possible infections and protect attendees. This incident illustrates a broader trend across several municipalities. In Zaragoza, for example, authorities preemptively started spraying campaigns in parks and dog areas to curb tick populations, citing a mild winter and a warm spring as conducive factors. In total, 16 parks and gardens have already been treated.
Additionally, Valladolid’s city government has acted to reduce the density of these arthropods. The situation is most acute in Catalonia, where numerous specimens have been detected in towns such as Badalona, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Montmeló, Mollet del Vallès, and La Llagosta, with affected zones including Collserola and El Prat de Llobregat. In Polinyà, near Barcelona, officials closed a road to prevent public contact with the tick population, urging residents to heed signage and avoid the area.
They’re already here a month earlier than usual.
Ticks in Spain are becoming a growing public health concern as activity begins earlier each year. Warmer temperatures, ecological shifts, and biological factors are driving this expansion. Experts describe an “exponential increase” in tick numbers, amplifying risks for people, livestock, and pets. The presence of ticks, known vectors for several diseases, has grown over decades and remains a focus for preventive action.
Veterinary and public health researchers emphasize that ticks carry a range of diseases that affect humans and animals. Authorities stress the importance of avoiding tick exposure through preventive measures and early detection. The need for vigilance rises as the ticks extend their range and activity seasons.
José de la Fuente, a researcher affiliated with the University of Castilla-La Mancha, notes that rising temperatures accelerate tick reproduction and development. Longer, milder winters allow more generations to survive, increasing overall populations. While ticks tolerate warmer climates, extreme heat can limit them, prompting them to shift northward rather than retreat. The overall pattern today differs markedly from fifty years ago, with ticks becoming active earlier and appearing sooner in the calendar, sometimes advancing by about a month compared with earlier decades.
Public health experts advise practical steps to reduce exposure and protect communities during peak tick periods. These include maintaining well-groomed outdoor spaces, using repellent outdoor gear, performing regular tick checks after outdoor activities, and promptly removing any ticks found on skin or clothing. Education and community outreach play crucial roles in mitigating risk as tick activity continues to rise in many regions.
Major diseases associated with ticks are a global public health topic. International researchers describe ticks as a significant factor in disease transmission, contributing to the burden of infectious diseases during certain climatic patterns. The principal conditions linked to tick bites include Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and tularemia, each carrying its own set of symptoms and health implications.
Lyme disease is the most well-known tick-borne illness. It is often associated with borrelia bacteria transmitted by Ixodes ticks. Early signs can include a circular rash and flu-like symptoms, while later stages may present fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle pain. Recognition is challenging because symptoms are diverse, and the timing of onset varies from person to person.
Tick-borne encephalitis, or TBE, can cause brain inflammation and cognitive issues. Vulnerable groups include young children and older adults. Symptoms range from high fever and headache to confusion and neck stiffness, with potential long-term neurological effects in some cases.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a viral disease seen in parts of Europe and the broader region. It can cause severe hemorrhagic illness and has been detected in areas of Spain since 2010. Early symptoms include fever, muscle pain, and fatigue, potentially progressing to severe systemic symptoms and liver involvement in advanced stages.
Tularemia is a bacterial infection linked to lagomorphs and rodents. It is rare in humans but can be transmitted by ticks. Symptoms typically begin with sudden high fever and malaise, followed by localized skin lesions and lymph node involvement. Most people become ill within 3 to 5 days after exposure, though delays of up to 21 days are possible.
Preventive measures and rapid response remain essential for reducing the impact of tick-borne diseases. Community health programs, environmental management, and personal protection collectively help lower exposure risk and improve outcomes when bite incidents occur.
Note: For inquiries related to environmental health and vector surveillance, authorities encourage reporting suspected tick encounters to local health departments through official channels and adhering to public health guidance.