Climatologists and veterinarians are warning that the South African bont tick (Amblyomma hebraeum) is moving into new areas. This tick, which currently thrives in northeastern and coastal regions, carries dangerous pathogens. By 2065, climate models suggest it could spread into central and eastern South Africa, creating new risks for farmers and communities.
For animals, the bont tick is the main carrier of heartwater disease, a deadly infection that affects cattle, sheep, and goats. In areas where herds have no natural immunity, outbreaks can cause heavy losses. For humans, immature ticks can transmit African tick-bite fever, leading to fever, headaches, and skin lesions after a bite.
The expansion is driven by climate change. Rising temperatures, shifts in rainfall, and changes in vegetation are making new habitats suitable for ticks. While expansion does not guarantee outbreaks, it increases the need for surveillance, biosecurity, and awareness in regions that have not faced these risks before.
Experts stress that farmers, veterinarians, and public health officials must prepare now. Monitoring tick populations, educating communities, and strengthening animal health systems will be key to reducing the impact. Climate change is not only about weather, it is also about the diseases that can follow.
