Development of a practical framework for sustainable surveillance and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases in Africa.

Felix Nchu,Margaret Mollel,Dennis Muhanguzi,George Msalya,Difo Voukang Harouna,Violet Temba,Natala Audu Joseph,Esther Gwae Kimaro,Jahashi Nzalawahe,Nkululeko Nyangiwe,Yakob Petro Nagagi

doi:10.14202/vetworld.2020.1910-1921

Abstract

A workshop on ticks and tick-borne diseases (T&TBDs) was held on June 25 and 26, 2019, at the Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Diseases Vector Control, Arusha, Tanzania. The objectives of the workshop were to discuss the current situation and to formulate actionable strategies to improve surveillance and control of T&TBDs in Africa. The workshop was funded by the National Research Foundation and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and attended by livestock health providers, farmers, and researchers from East, West, and Southern African countries. During the workshop, experts presented recent surveillance data focused on T&TBDs; participants discussed research opportunities and community engagement. The primary outcome of the workshop was the creation of a new research consortium known as The African Consortium for T&TBDs. The consortium is intended to function as a community for researchers, students, farmers, policymakers, extension workers, and community members who are interested in the advancement of T&TBD control. The consortium will engage in research activities that focus on comprehensive surveillance of T&TBDs, developing tick acaricide resistance, alternative tick control programs, and policy development and education. These areas were identified as top priorities to be developed to improve T&TBD control on the continent.

Highlights

Ticks are second only to mosquitoes as vectors of human and animal pathogens [1]
The consortium will engage in research activities that focus on comprehensive surveillance of ticks and tick-borne diseases (T&TBDs), developing tick acaricide resistance, alternative tick control programs, and policy development and education
To cope up with the challenge of monitoring and managing T&TBDs associated with livestock and human health, this workshop was organized to review existing T&TBDs surveillance and control programs and to identify gaps in these programs in selected East, West, and Southern African territories, including Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, and South Africa

Summary

Introduction

Ticks are second only to mosquitoes as vectors of human and animal pathogens [1]. Tick infestations can have devastating effects on human health as well as on livestock and the livelihoods of livestock farmers [2]. The consortium will engage in research activities that focus on comprehensive surveillance of T&TBDs, developing tick acaricide resistance, alternative tick control programs, and policy development and education. To cope up with the challenge of monitoring and managing T&TBDs associated with livestock and human health, this workshop was organized to review existing T&TBDs surveillance and control programs and to identify gaps in these programs in selected East, West, and Southern African territories, including Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Results

Conclusion