Esta propuesta nace de la necesidad de contribuir a la adopción de políticas y protocolos en agricultores para mejorar la producción ganadera y su sustentabilidad en Ecuador con énfasis en problemas relacionados a garrapatas.

RESUMEN DEL PROYECTO

Cattle ticks are a great concern for livestock in tropical regions of Ecuador. Reductions in productivity and pathogen transmission associated to tick bites result in economic losses for cattle owners. Abuse of chemical products for tick control has favored the development of acaricide resistance in cattle farms in Ecuador, complicating tick control. Furthermore, active acaricide residuals in foodstuffs and the environment may affect public health. Many stakeholders rely on incomplete information for marketing, purchase and treatment, so that improving the knowledge driving practices is of prime importance, but must rely on thorough study of decision-making criteria. We will investigate the socio-eco-epidemiology of cattle ticks, tick-borne parasites, acaricide resistance and the presence of acaricide residuals in Ecuadorian cattle farms, their production and their environment. We will elaborate a pilot program for integrated management of tick and tick-borne parasites. We are planning seven studies in two parts. The first part investigates association between ticks, tick-borne parasites, host resistance, acaricide resistance and farm management and environmental factors. Furthermore, food stuffs, feces and urine and soil samples will be collected to assess the presence of acaricide resistance. The second part and set of studies will assess determinants of farmer behavior and establish the economic losses associated with ticks and related issues. All studies will feed into the economic study to assess various options for sustainable management of ticks and the parasites they transmit to cattle. While livestock farming is the primary focus of this proposal, our topic is of interest to public health through the zoonotic potential of some tick-borne pathogens, the issue of acaricide residuals in the food chain (risk assessment), and farmers welfare. We will involve stakeholders along the process and communicate study results in a form relevant cattle owners.