Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases of Livestock in the Middle East and North Africa: A Review

Abstract

Simple Summary

The Middle East and North Africa represent a hyper arid region of the world. Humans in these regions have historically kept domestic livestock usually under harsh environmental circumstances. With recent human development, especially in the Middle East, the livestock industry has increased. Livestock is affected by ticks and tick-borne diseases on which there has been relatively few studies in this region. This review paper aims to (i) examine the diversity of ticks infesting livestock, (ii) assess the variety of pathogens in animals and humans, and (iii) to identify gaps in our understanding of tick biology and tick-borne disease transmission in the region. We found 55 tick species on livestock including camels, cows, goats and sheep, belonging to eight genera. Fifteen tick-borne pathogens were reported from livestock in the region. We highlight the magnitude of the tick problem in the region and evaluate the control efforts currently in place. We suggest that disease control and prevention could be achieved effectively through collaborative work among all stakeholders such as funding international research projects and establishing joint control programs to combat cross-border movement of ticks.

Abstract

Ticks are important vectors of an array of viral, bacterial and protozoan pathogens resulting in a wide range of animal and human diseases. There is limited information in the literature about tick species in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, even though they have suitable climate and vegetation for ticks and their hosts. We reviewed the occurrence of tick species and the pathogens they transmit from the MENA on published papers from 1901–2020. We found taxonomic records of 55 tick species infesting livestock representing the following eight genera: Ornithodoros, Otobius, Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Ixodes, and Rhipicephalus. In addition, 15 pathogens were recorded causing diseases of significance, with Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever, theileriosis, babesiosis and anaplasmosis being widely distributed diseases in the region. In recent decades, there has been increasing trends in disease occurrence and movement associated with global movement of humans and global trade of animals. We suggest that disease control and prevention could be achieved effectively through good integration between public health, veterinary medicine and animal management, and ecological approaches. We recommend further research in the areas of tick ecology and tick born-disease transmission. Furthermore, we suggest evaluation and improvement of disease control policies in the region.