Geographic distribution and modeling of ticks in the Republic of Korea and the application of tick models towards understanding the distribution of associated pathogenic agents

Encounters with ticks harboring pathogenic agents have demonstrated increasing public health implications. Tick surveillance in the Republic of Korea (ROK) is essential for determining tick distributions and potential regions where tick-borne pathogens may be found. Extensive collections (tick drags flagging) were previously performed by Force Health Protection & Preventive Medicine (FHP&PM), Medical Activity-Korea (MEDDAC-K)/65th Brigade (MED BDE) personnel, collaboration Public ROK. A total 144,131 collected from 2,019 locations during 2004 to 2016. The associated location data (GPS coordinates) each collection sites incorporated into distribution maps using ArcGIS combined environmental Maxent ecological niche modeling program (n = 733 geographical unique 1,429 presence records/collection locations) produce estimates species. predominant species found modeled were, order prevalence: Haemaphysalis longicornis, H. flava, Ixodes nipponensis, phasiana, I. turdus, Amblyomma testudinarium, japonica, persulcatus. nipponensis most widely distributed commonly ticks. models suitable habitat produced this study provide a better understanding there are risks encountering particular species, which, as herein rickettsiae, can used tick-pathogen dynamics diseases. Knowledge important ROK because diseases, such severe fever thrombocytopenia syndrome, encephalitis, rickettsioses, borrelioses.