An Epidemiological Survey Regarding Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases among Livestock Owners in Punjab, Pakistan: A One Health Context

Pathogens

Abrar Hussain¹  Abdul Rehman¹  Jeffery Ho²  Jun Li²  Olivier Sparagano²  Sabir Hussain²  Jehan Zeb³  David George⁴ 

[1]Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54600, Pakistan

[2]Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

[3]Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan

[4]School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Agriculture Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK

关键词: livestock;    tick-borne disease;    zoonosis;    environment;    one health;   

DOI  :  10.3390/pathogens10030361

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Recent global changes have led to an increase in the spread of ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) affecting domestic ruminants and humans, with an annual loss of US $13.9–$18.7 billion. The current study determined the perception and practices of livestock farmers regarding tick infestation. A total of 112 livestock farms were surveyed in Punjab, Pakistan, among which animals from 42 (37.5%) farms were infested with ticks. Only 28.6% (n = 32) of the dairy farmers were consulting veterinarians for ticks control, while 86.7% (n = 97) of the respondents did not consider biosecurity measures in the control of tick transmission. Most of the respondents, 71.4% (n = 80), did not consider manual tick removal from their animals (i.e., by hand, followed by physically crushing) as a risky practice for spreading zoonotic diseases. Improper disposal of bottles of acaricides in the farm drainage was also observed, putting the environment and aquatic life at risk. These wrong practices may contribute to high disease burdens and economic losses, increasing the possibility of transmission of zoonotic TBDs and pollution of the environment. Therefore, an integrated One Health approach is required for the control of TBDs through environmentally friendly approaches.

【 授权许可】

Unknown