Singapore faces rising threat of tick-borne diseases

A severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus is spreading southwards beyond Thailand, despite a lack of evidence that its main disease-spreading carrier – the Asian longhorn tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) – can thrive in tropical environments. - Wikipedia

SINGAPORE: As a city-state at the intersection of migratory bird routes, Singapore faces a rising threat of tick-borne diseases, flagged a recent symposium here dedicated to the blood-sucking parasite.

After mosquitoes, ticks are considered to be the second-most concerning living organism that can transmit human diseases, scientists warned at the end-August event to unpack the risks posed by ticks in South-East Asia, where they have historically been poorly understood.