Vol. 10, Issue 5 (2021)

Author(s):
Pardeep Kumar, Hardeep Kalkal and Sukhdeep Vohra

Abstract:
Ticks are well-known parasites that affect livestock productivity. This paper reviews the current knowledge regarding the spread of ticks with their impact in animal health and the limitations to achieve effective control measures. The forecasted trends in climate play an obvious role in promoting the spread of ticks in several regions. The reported increase in altitude of this tick species in the mountainous regions of Central and South America appears to be driven by such general trends in climate change. This factor, however, is not the only single contributor to the spread of ticks. The poor management of farms, uncontrolled movements of domestic animals, abundance of wild animals, and absence of an adequate framework to capture the ecological plasticity of certain ticks may explain the complexity of the control measures. Herein, we review the problems and opportunities for the integrated control of ticks of ruminants. Developments discussed in the review in the area of tick vaccines and other tick control measures should have an impact on the future livestock production.