Epidemiology of Ectoparasites (Ticks, Lice, and Mites) in the Livestock of Pakistan: A Review.

Ali Muhammad,Usman Ayub Awan,Haroon Ahmed,Jianping Cao,Rida Bashir,Muhammad Sohail Afzal,Mobushir Riaz Khan,Majid Mahmood,Sami Simsek

doi:10.3389/fvets.2021.780738

Abstract

Ectoparasites, including lice, ticks, and mites, inhabit the host skin and depend on their host for sustenance, maturation, and multiplication. Among these, ticks are more prevalent in various regions of Pakistan because of favorable climatic conditions, lack of awareness of livestock keepers' regarding ectoparasite infestation rate, insufficient veterinary services, and inadequate control measures. Ectoparasitic infestation is a primary threat to cost-effective livestock production by damaging skin and transmitting multiple diseases between animals. This review aimed to determine the infestation rates of various ectoparasites in cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, camels, equids and to ascertain the prevalence and epidemiology of ectoparasites in different regions of Pakistan. This review could be useful in devising prevention and control strategies and identifying the risk factors associated with ectoparasites to enhance animal productivity. It provides directions for veterinary schools, researchers, and organizations aiming to collaborate with neighboring countries to eradicate these parasites. Future studies could support working veterinarians and administrators and contribute to human well-being.

Highlights

Pakistan is an agricultural country with 75% of its population involved directly or indirectly in agriculture
That why the current review was designed on the epidemiology of ectoparasites (Ticks, lice and mites) in livestock of Pakistan
Keywords used for the search were ectoparasites, ticks, lice, mange mites, flies, fleas, small ruminants, livestock, sheep, goat, cattle, buffalo, horse, camel, donkey, prevalence, domestic animals, risk factors, livestock diseases caused by ectoparasites, tick and lice infestations, the incidence of ectoparasites, threats to the dairy sector, theileriosis, anaplasmosis, cattle tick, and Pakistan

Summary

Introduction

Pakistan is an agricultural country with 75% of its population involved directly or indirectly in agriculture. That why the current review was designed on the epidemiology of ectoparasites (Ticks, lice and mites) in livestock of Pakistan. Keywords used for the search were ectoparasites, ticks, lice, mange mites, flies, fleas, small ruminants, livestock, sheep, goat, cattle, buffalo, horse, camel, donkey, prevalence, domestic animals, risk factors, livestock diseases caused by ectoparasites, tick and lice infestations, the incidence of ectoparasites, threats to the dairy sector, theileriosis, anaplasmosis, cattle tick, and Pakistan. Data on the prevalence of livestock ectoparasites was collected from the included studies.

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