Association between guilds of birds in the African-Western Palaearctic region and the tick species Hyalomma rufipes, one of the main vectors of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus

With climate change, the likelihood of establishment of permanent <i>Hyalomma</i> populations in central and northern Europe is increasing. Thus, surveillance programs for monitoring the risk of introduction and establishment of <i>H. rufipes</i> in the Western-Palaearctic should be established. Our study suggests that migratory bird species wintering in African open habitats and wetlands are good candidates for monitoring potential introduction.