Importation of the exotic tick Amblyomma geoemydae into Sweden via illegally introduced turtles (Geoemyda spengleri) from Thailand

Abstract

Illegal importation of animals as pets might be followed by the introduction of exotic tick species, potential vectors of pathogens that can have an impact on wildlife and/or domestic animals and on humans. Therefore, permanent measures of surveillance and control on imported reptiles are emphasized. In February 2024, black-breasted leaf turtles (Geoemyda spengleri) (n = 31) were illegally imported into Sweden from Thailand. The turtles were sent by the Swedish Customs Criminal Department West in Gothenburg to a public aquarium and terrarium (Tropicarium, Kolmården, Östergötland county) to be kept in quarantine. At the Tropicarium the turtles were found to be infested by ticks. All ticks (n = 3) found were removed and stored in ethanol. The finding (including photos of the ticks) was reported to the Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA, Uppsala) using the Report Tick Tool, a surveillance system developed by the SVA itself. The three collected ticks were identified based on morphology and genetics as Amblyomma geoemydae nymphs. This discovery demonstrates that SVA's surveillance tool can function as an early warning system for newly introduced tick species and to promptly identify exotic tick species which can carry viruses, bacteria, and/or parasites that are not currently present in the country.