Integrated control of ticks and tick-borne diseases of cattle in Africa

Abstract

The problems caused by tick and tick-borne diseases for livestock particularly cattle on the African continent are described and discussed. The control of ticks and tick-borne diseases must receive high priority in Africa with regard to both research and control application because of their widespread distribution in areas of high livestock potential and productivity. The conventional methods of tick and tick-borne disease control are discussed and are found to be inadequate in the conditions prevailing in Africa. Methods of integrated control are suggested and discussed in light of recent development in control methods and those still under development. Any one of these methods may not be adequate to control the problem on its own but when several of the methods are combined an economic and robust integrated control is likely to result. Encouragement is given to attempt this approach in Africa to solve what must be the largest animal health problem of livestock remaining in the world.

The current status of major tick borne diseases in Zambia

“…The types of chemicals used for tick vector control are summarized in Table X. Vector control is associated with the following problems: the high cost of acaricides; vulnerability of tick control programs to political and economic instability [11, 52-54, 78, 83]; acquired resistance to acaricides in Zambia and many other countries [4, 5, 27, 40-42, 92, 94, 95, 102, 108, 109]; destabilization of the endemic stability; environmental pollution and residues in animal products [35,[110][111][112]. More studies to better understand the resistance mechanisms in ticks and their diagnosis need to be carried out.…”

“…Studies have shown that immunized cattle are protected against challenge provided the appropriate parasite stocks are used [91,112]. It is also known that immunized cattle as well as those that recover naturally from ECF/ CD are carriers of the infection and therefore, can serve as a source of infection for others [22,23,39,45,112]. These vaccines are poorly adopted in the region, mainly because of problems associated with the use of live parasites.…”

“…Ideally, the three methods should be integrated to make the most cost effective use of each and also to exploit the breed resistance and the development and maintenance of enzootic stability [37,39]. No single method is likely adequate to control the complex problem of these and other TBD in Africa and elsewhere [73,112]. However, the current Zambian approach is new, based on integrated strategies that encompass the following: selection of disease and tick resistant cattle [98,99]; exploitation of enzootic stability; use of acaricides only when economically justified in relation to the direct effects of ticks on livestock production [10,19,38,51,84,85].…”

Current Limitations in the Control and Spread of Ticks that Affect Livestock: A Review

“…The estimated annual global costs associated with ticks and tick-transmitted pathogens in cattle amounted to between US$ 13.9 billion and US$ 18.7 billion [1]. In Africa, tick-borne diseases are considered the most important animal disease problem [2]. In Australia, it has been estimated that the losses due to cattle ticks, except for the wounding and rendering of animals susceptible to myiasis, are 65% related to anorexia and 35% related to blood loss [3].…”

Vaccination of cattle againstRhipicephalus appendiculatuswith detergent solubilized tick tissue proteins and purified 20 kDa protein

“…Beside the transmission of Theileria parva, this tick causes impor tant economic losses by its massive infestation (Young et al, 1988). To control tick populations, the use of acaricides is still the only efficient way, but the appearance of resis tant strains to most acaricides available limits the use of this approach to tick control (Nolan, 1985;Riddles and Nolan, 1987).…”