Increase in tick numbers and tick-borne diseases reported, particularly in sheep
Published 1 July 2024
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There has been a general increase in the number of ticks and tick-borne diseases diagnosed and or reported throughout the season, but some cases have been seen as early as January. This is likely due to the recent milder winters.
1. Common ticks
Ixodes ricinus, the sheep, deer or castor bean tick is the most common tick associated with outbreaks of clinical disease in UK. This tick is found mainly in areas of rough grazing, moorland, woodland and areas where wild deer and rabbit are in abundance.
However it has been notable this year that there have been reports of severe infestations, disease and deaths in sheep grazing the South Downs associated with the less common red sheep tick, Haemaphysalis punctata, which is predominantly an ectoparasite of livestock, however severe infestations on horses and human biting incidents have also been reported. This tick inhabits grasslands including downland and coastal marshland rather than the rough grazing that I. ricinus requires. It has appeared to have expanded its range in southern England in recent years.
2. Tick prevention treatments for sheep - always check up-to-date data sheets
https://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/
| Chemical | Applications | Use | Persistence | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organophospate Diazinon | Plunge dip | Treat ticks | Will depend on: The species of tick and its feeding habits. The level of challenge Location of sheep post- dipping |
Operator safety, dip licensing and disposal. Mobile dippers may be an alternative. Interaction with Levamisole. |
| Synthetic pyrethroids (Various - deltamethrin, cypermethrin, permethrin, ) |
Topical (spot-on or pour-on) | Treatment and control of ticks | Varies from not recorded to normally 12 weeks | Some not for use in lambs less than 1 week. Some have specific measures for lambs less than 10kg. |
3. Resistance
There have not been confirmed reports of resistance to acaricides in the UK, but there have been reports in reduction in persistency of products when animals are faced with large numbers of ticks.
4. Useful links & further information
APHA Focus Article on Tickborne diseases of sheep in the Veterinary Record
Medlock, J.M., Hansford, K.M., Vaux, A.G.C., Cull, B., Pietzsch, M.E., Gillingham, E.L., Johnson, N. and Phipps, L.P. (2018), Has the red sheep tick, Haemaphysalis punctata, recently expanded its range in England?. Med Vet Entomol, 32: 473-480. https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.12335
Phipps, L. P., Hernández-Triana, L. M., Goharriz, H., Welchman, D., & Johnson, N. (2016). Detection of Theileria luwenshuni in sheep from Great Britain. Parasites & vectors, 9, 203. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-016-1486-5