Ticks are active even in autumn - which regions of Kazakhstan remain at risk

Kazakhstan has registered 43 cases of tick-borne encephalitis from the start of the year until August 19, according to the National Center for Public Health. The East Kazakhstan Region reported the highest incidence with 14 cases, followed by the North Kazakhstan Region with seven, and Almaty with seven. This marks an increase of six cases compared to the same period last year. In total, 15,087 people sought medical help for tick bites this year, including 6,861 children. Specialists note that while the main peak of tick activity is in spring and summer, the risk does not disappear entirely by late summer. Ixodid ticks, which can carry dangerous pathogens like those causing tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease, can remain active in certain regions and habitats during August and September. Experts observed that cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and tick-borne encephalitis have occurred as late as October in recent years. The specific species of ticks and their activity periods can vary significantly by region and environmental conditions, with Dermacentor and Hyalomma genera becoming more significant in late summer and early autumn in some areas. The Almaty and East Kazakhstan regions, along with the vicinity of Almaty city, have historically shown the longest periods of tick activity.

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Compared to the same period last year, the incidence of tick-borne encephalitis has increased by six cases.