Control of African Swine Fever and Avian Spirochaetosis

Abstract

Ticks are distributed worldwide and have an enormous medical and veterinary importance owing to the direct damage they cause and indirectly as vectors of a large variety of human and animal pathogens. The family Argasidae (soft ticks) comprises five genera and with about 193 species. Among all the argasid ticks, only four Argas and two Ornithodoros species are competent to transmit diseases. This chapter describes the various ticks of the argasidae family, diseases they transmit, and strategies for their control. A description of the two important genera, Ornithodorus and Argas, that belong to the family argasidae are provided. Emphasis is on the mammalian hosts affected, tick species involved, morphological features (with relevant pictorials), geographic distribution, life cycle, and economic importance. A detailed description of the two most important diseases transmitted by argasidae ticks namely African swine fever (ASF) and avian spirochaetosis is given. Emphasis is laid on the historical background, epidemiology, clinical signs, and strategies for their control.