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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

Strategic tick control in Burundi.

Strategic tick control is an attempt to control ticks and reduce losses in animal production due to tick infestations while decreasing the cost for this control. Tick control is understood as a necessity to achieve maximum animal production from animals raised in tick-infested areas. At the same time, it has become difficult to justify intensive, year-round tick control for local breeds and their crosses. The increasing costs of acaricides, maintenance of the infrastructures, salaries for personnel, etc. have created a tick control programme where the benefits may not be adequate to justify the expense. This has been the case in Burundi. This programme with adequate participation from the cattle owners of Burundi and organizational support from government personnel can help solve this economic problem. The strategic programme reduces the period of tick control to four months each year. Once optimal participation is achieved, this period can probably be reduced to three months (Kaiser et al., 1988). The period of treatment corresponds to when there is maximal feeding activity of adult female ticks on the bovine population within a certain region. Cattle should be treated once each week throughout the four-month period in order to prevent female tick engorgement (based on the life cycle of R. appendiculatus). This will greatly reduce the number of female ticks which are available to recycle the population of ticks in the participating area. At the same time, a certain population of ticks must be maintained in order to assure contact between the cattle, ticks, and tick-borne diseases of this particular region.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Communal farmers and tick control--a field study in Zimbabwe.

Intensive dipping of cattle to control ticks and tick-borne diseases precludes development of endemic stability to the latter. Alternative control strategies have been recommended which reduce the frequency of dipping and permit the expression of tick resistance and endemic stability. However, such strategies imply acceptance by cattle owners of higher tick burdens. In this study the views of a group of communal farmers to tick control are described and the impact of these views upon adoption of other strategies is discussed.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1992

A survey of cattle tick control practices in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Current cattle tick control practices and producer attitudes towards tick control in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa are discussed. These were ascertained from answers to a questionnaire survey to which 31.2% of farmers responded. In general, producers favoured intensive tick control. Beef and dairy farmers had a definite preference for synthetic pyrethroid acaricides, the majority followed a 25 times p.a. treatment frequency and most changed acaricides because of price. Beef producers favoured pour-on application of acaricides while the majority of dairy producers utilized plunge dipping. Producers who used hand spray techniques experienced the highest percentage of confirmed acaricide resistance. A costs of R11.27 for acaricide treatment per bovine per annum was calculated from data gained in this survey. A cost index of 2,496 was calculated by relating acaricide cost to the prevailing price of beef in the region. Only a small number of producers used heartwater, babesiosis and anaplasmosis vaccines. Relative tick borne disease mortality ratios indicated higher heartwater mortalities at high acaricide treatment frequencies. These results are discussed in relation to the tick control regimes practised.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

A survey of small stock tick control practices in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Current small stock tick control practices and producer attitudes towards tick control in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa are discussed. These were ascertained from returns to a questionnaire survey to which 31.2% of farmers polled, responded. In general, producers did not favour an intensive tick control policy for small stock. Angora, mutton and wool farmers had a definite preference for synthetic pyrethroid acaricides, the majority treating either less than 6 times p.a. or between 11-15 times p.a. Most producers changed acaricides because of price. All small stock producers favoured plunge dip application of acaricides while the majority of wool sheep and Angora producers utilized footbath application as a second preference. Mutton producers favoured pour-on and hand spray application as a second choice. Producers who used plunge dip application techniques experienced the highest percentage of confirmed acaricide resistance which is in accordance with application preference. The general incidence of confirmed acaricide resistance, however, was of a low order but highest amongst mutton farmers. An average cost for acaricide treatment of R1.65 per small stock unit p.a. was calculated from data gained in this survey. Only a small number of producers used the available heartwater vaccine. Small stock mortalities experienced by producers per production unit indicated higher mortalities at high acaricidal treatment frequencies. Farmers allowing a small number of ticks to infest their sheep experienced fewer mortalities due to heartwater than those than kept their sheep free of ticks. Angora goat farmers experienced the same, but with higher mortalities, probably due to the apparently high susceptibility of Angora goats to heartwater.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The impact of natural infestations of ticks in Zambia on the productivity of cattle and implications for tick control strategies in central Africa.

Studies were carried out in Zambia using a farming systems approach to quantify the effects of tick control on traditionally managed Sanga cattle. In the first trial to investigate the effect of tick control, significant improvements in liveweight gain (LWG) occurred only in periods of medium to high challenge with adult Amblyomma variegatum. However, during the first 18 months of the study when animals were young, the acaricide used caused a suppression in weight gains. A supplementary experimental study indicated that the adverse effects of ticks on weight gain may be delayed when animals are on a low plane of nutrition. In both studies on the effects of ticks on LWG, estimates of weight loss per female A. variegatum were in the range of 46 to 69 g. In the second long term trial to measure the impact of tick control on overall heard productivity, outputs of milk and weaner calf per livestock unit carrying capacity were about 25% higher in a tick-free herd. The annual cost of control in 1988 at ZK286.26/livestock unit was greater than the increase in value of the products at ZK175.48/livestock unit carrying capacity. It is concluded from these studies that intensive tick control in the multipurpose livestock system in Zambia is not justified in the absence of serious tick-borne disease. However, strategic seasonal tick control of adult ticks from November to April would probably be economically viable. Calves should not be treated until they are 3 months of age.

Africa, Central↗
PubMed1992

Tick control on eland (Taurotragus oryx) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer) with flumethrin 1% pour-on through a Duncan applicator.

Eland (Taurotragus oryx) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Game Ranching Research Station at the Mushandike Sanctuary in Zimbabwe were treated with 1% flumethrin pour-on to control unacceptably high tick numbers. The pour-on was at first applied with a drenching gun and later by means of a Duncan Applicator. This device allows contact with a saturated treatment column while the animals consume a specially formulated attractant lick from the feed bin. Tick counts done over 3 summer seasons demonstrated the efficacy both of the pour-on acaricide and the method of application.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Anti-tick grasses as the basis for developing practical tropical tick control packages.

Of six grass species analysed, Melinis minutiflora (molasses grass) showed the highest anti-tick deterrent properties while Andropogon gayanus (Gamba grass) exhibited the ability to maintain a defined, constantly low, initial host tick infection property and lengthy but low to moderate field tick population. It was concluded that Melinis minutiflora is a species which would best be used in a tick control package within a marginal tick zone while Andropogon gayanus has the advantage within an endemic tick zone.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Factors affecting the detection of infestations of Boophilus microplus in tick control programs.

Factors affecting the probability of detecting infestations of Boophilus microplus when herds of cattle are examined were studied. The probability of detecting a tick depends on the number of infested cattle in the herd, the probability of ticks being present on the areas of the beast examined, the efficiency of the examination and the proportion of the herd examined. A mathematical expression relating these factors was derived, and a range of values calculated to demonstrate the relative importance of each factor. It was evident that the efficiency of the examination should be kept better than 75%, and that it is necessary to employ a high sampling rate, preferably 100% of the herd. The probabilities of ticks being present on 6 predilection sites and 4 combinations of sites of an infested animal were determined experimentally. The tail butt, esutcheon, belly, dewlap and to a lesser degree neck and ear were all very suitable sites on which to find cattle ticks. A combination of tail butt, escutcheon and neck produced probabilities (0.58 and above) considered adequate to form the basis of an examination system. Examination systems used in New South Wales, Queensland, Argentina and at the United States-Mexico border are described. As a result of this study a new standardised system has been adopted by the Board of Tick Control for use by all New South Wales inspectors.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effect of tick control on liveweight gain of cattle in central Zambia.

Field trials were carried out during 1982-86 in two different ecotypes in central Zambia to determine the impact of tick control on the liveweight gain (LWG) of cattle. During the first 2 years of the trial a diamidide acaricide (Amitraz) sprayed at weekly intervals caused periodic depression in LWG in young animals. Thereafter a pyrethroid acaricide (cypermethrin) was used. During the 1984-85 tick season infestations of 50-120 adult Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius in untreated animals caused significant reductions in LWG. From the differences in LWG between treated and untreated cattle, the induced loss in LWG was estimated at 46-61 g per engorged female A.variegatum.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Re-assessment of tick control after immunization against East Coast fever in the Eastern Province of Zambia.

East Coast Fever, caused by the protozoon Theileria parva and transmitted by the ixodid tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus is one of the most important cattle diseases in east and central Africa, responsible for considerable direct losses and necessitating expensive control measures. Traditionally, the disease was controlled by means of intensive tick control. The Belgian Animal Disease Control Project was requested to study the disease epizootiology and vector ecology in order to formulate and implement a control program adapted to the requirements and capabilities of the cattle owners in the Eastern Province of Zambia. The weaknesses of a rigorous tick control program were demonstrated. It was decided to initiate an immunization program in the enzootic areas. The overall calf mortality rate was lowered by 90% and it was shown that none of the other tick-borne diseases caused significant problems in the absence of tick control. The tick ecology studies had indicated that the climatic conditions in the area were so unfavourable that the important vector species (Amblyomma variegatum, Boophilus microplus and R. appendiculatus) would not attain problem levels. It was therefore recommended to suspend all tick control in the area. Control of East Coast Fever in the epizootic and disease-free areas is still a more complex issue. It appears unlikely that the latter will remain disease-free, because of the proximity of the enzootic areas and because of considerable cattle movement in the province. Given the advantages of control by immunization, it can be argued that a longterm solution should be based on this approach.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Some aspects of the ecology and lifecycle of Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius 1787) in Trinidad and their influence on tick control measures.

The distribution in Trinidad of the tick Amblyomma cajennense is defined, and the methods used to determine the boundaries of the infested areas are outlined. The relationships between climate, vegetation and husbandry methods and the distribution of the tick are described. Monthly tick collections from specific animals to determine exact seasonal variations were not possible but a study was made of the normal life cycle under laboratory conditions, the results being used to assist in interpreting the field picture and formulating methods of control. Possible systems of control are outlined and mention is made of the feasibility of eradication of the species in Trinidad.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Immunisation of cattle against theileriosis in Nakuru District of Kenya by infection and treatment and the introduction of unconventional tick control.

One hundred and one cross European-Boran cattle (50 cows and 51 calves), on a farm in Nakuru District, Kenya, were immunised against theileriosis using Theileria parva lawrencei and Theileria parva parva stocks from another district of Kenya. The stabilates used were T.p.lawrencei (Mara III) used at 10(-1.7) dilution and T.p.parva (Kilae) used at 10(-1.0) dilution. The stabilates were combined and inoculated simultaneously with a short-acting formulation of oxytetracycline hydrochloride given intramuscularly at 10 mg kg-1 body weight and was repeated on Day 4 after inoculation of the stabilate. Most of the theileriosis challenge on the farm was thought to be derived directly from the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). Nine percent of the cattle had significant indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) titres before the immunisation and 99% after immunisation. The immunised cattle were exposed to tick-borne disease challenge on the farm by withdrawal of acaricide cover. The immunised cattle were divided into five groups plus two susceptible control cows and two calves for each group. Cattle in four of the groups had acaricidal ear tags, each group having a different type, applied to both ears and the fifth group remained untagged. The animals remained without conventional acaricide application for 134 days. Ten out of 20 (50%) non-immunised control cattle became T.p.lawrencei reactors which only one out of 97 (1%) of the immunised cattle reacted. A frequent complication noted was mild infections due to unidentified Theileria sp. which required expert differentiation from T.parva infections. An additional group of ten steers whose tick load was removed by hand at weekly intervals was introduced 79 days after exposure; these had no tick control and four became T.p.lawrencei reactors. Of 12 calves born during the exposure period and without tick control, four became theilerial reactors and one died. The application of acaricidal tags however, reduced tick infestation levels considerably compared with untagged controls but did not prevent transmission of theileriosis with the possible exception of tags on Group 4. A number of transient low grade fevers were noted and attributed to Theileria sp., Ehrlichia bovis, Ehrlichia (Cytoecetes) ondiri and Borrelia theileri infections, none of which were fatal. One immunised animal died of acute dual infection of Babesia bigemina and Borrelia theileri after acaricide control by spraying was re-introduced but no Anaplasma infections were detected. An analysis of the economic effects of immunisation was made.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The impact of pure infestations of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma hebraeum on the productivity of cattle and implications for tick control strategies in Africa.

This paper reviews studies carried out by an FAO project in Zimbabwe, on the effects of the ticks Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma hebraeum on the productivity of cattle. Larvae and nymphs of the two species had no detectable effect on liveweight gain (LWG). The losses in LWG caused by each adult female that completed feeding were approximately 4 g for R. appendiculatus and 10 g for A. hebraeum. Losses in milk production caused by both species amounted to approximately 7 g for every female that engorged. The loss in productivity per engorged female, known as the damage coefficient, can be used in simulation models to estimate the value of production losses caused by the ticks and the economic benefits of control strategies.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Perspectives for subunit vaccines for the control of ticks.

For the first time, successful vaccination against a tick has been carried out using a single defined antigen. Further, it has been shown that it is feasible to produce active antigenic material by recombinant DNA technology. This represents a significant advance towards the development of an alternative means of tick control. Nevertheless, as with any new product and new technology, much developmental work still has to be done before one can be confident that a practical means of tick control will result. From the published information, it does not seem that research on vaccines against other tick species is as advanced as that on Boophilus microplus. The work on B. microplus may, however, provide a short cut to the development of further tick vaccines.

Animals↗