<p class="first" id="d3589498e117">Herein we review the epidemiology of ticks and
tick-borne diseases (TTBDs), their
impact on livestock health and on the economy, control and associated challenges in
Uganda. Ticks are leading vectors of economically important pathogens and are widespread
in Uganda due to suitable climatic conditions. Besides the physical injury inflicted
on the animal host, ticks transmit a number of pathogens that can cause morbidity
and mortality of livestock if untreated, resulting in economic losses. Uganda suffers
an aggregated annual loss (direct and indirect) of over USD 1.1 billion in the TTBDs
complex. East Coast fever (ECF) caused by a protozoan haemoparasite, Theileria parva,
is the most prevalent and economically important tick-borne disease (TBD) in Uganda
and its vector, the brown ear tick (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) widely distributed.
Other prevalent TBDs in Uganda include anaplasmosis, babesiosis and heartwater. We
highlight the role of agro-ecological zones (AEZs) and livestock management system
in the distribution of TTBDs, citing warm and humid lowlands as being ideal habitats
for ticks and endemic for TBDs. Control of TTBDs is a matter of great importance as
far as animal health is concerned in Uganda. Indigenous cattle, which make up over
90% of the national herd are known to be more tolerant to TTBDs and most farms rely
on endemic stability to TBDs for control. However, exotic cattle breeds are more capital
intensive than indigenous breeds, but the increasing adoption of tick-susceptible
exotic cattle breeds (especially dairy) in western and central Uganda demands intensive
use of acaricides for tick control and prevention of TBDs. Such acaricide pressure
has unfortunately led to selection of acaricide-resistant tick populations and the
consequent acaricide resistance observed in the field. Vaccination against ECF, selective
breeding for tick resistance and integrated tick control approaches that limit tick
exposure, could be adopted to interrupt spread of acaricide resistance. We recommend
increasing monitoring and surveillance for TTBDs and for emerging acaricide resistance,
improved extension services and sensitization of farmers on tick control measures,
appropriate acaricide use and the development and implementation of vaccines for the
control of TTBDs as more sustainable and effective interventions. A tick control policy
should be developed, taking into account variations of agro-ecological zones, farm
circumstances and indigenous technical knowledge, and this should be incorporated
into the overall animal health program.
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