Cattle ticks and tick-borne diseases: a review of Uganda's situation

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