ABSTRACT
In some parts of the world, ticks are the most dangerous animals followed by mosquitoes as ectoparasites and vectors of infectious agents, causing morbidity and mortality in domestic animals including wildlife and humans. The majority of tick-borne diseases are zoonotic. The global importance of ticks and tick-borne diseases in veterinary medicine and public health keeps growing. Some ticks are invasive and transmit pathogens causing transboundary diseases of high consequence for populations of domestic animals and humans. Integrated management pursues the optimized use of compatible methods to manage pests in a way that is safe, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable. The area-wide approach augments and expands the benefits of integrated pest management strategies. Issues challenging the implementation, adoption, and viability of area-wide tick management programmes include funding and socio-political aspects, the availability of support systems related to extension and veterinary services, and stakeholder involvement. Management strategies need to adapt and integrate novel technologies to decrease significantly the use of pesticide and address the complex problem of ticks and tick-borne diseases effectively. Applying the One Health concept, the strategy to optimize health outcomes for humans, animals, and the environment, facilitates research on the interplay between climate, habitat, and hosts driving tick population dynamics. It enhances our understanding of the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases and advances their management. This overview of research for adaptive area-wide integrated management concentrates on ticks affecting livestock. Examples focus on Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini) as one of the tick disease vectors most studied worldwide. Highlights of integrated management research for ticks 252of public health importance transmitting zoonotic diseases are reviewed to document opportunities for integrated control that mitigate the health burden of tick-borne diseases on humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Implementation of the research conducted so far is needed to accelerate advancements in area-wide management of tick populations that can be applied to improve prevention across tick-borne diseases, while decreasing pesticide application and contributing to vector control globally.
