Cattle Ticks Talk in Region 1
Ticks are common ectoparasites that live within the skin of its host to thrive and survive. They can burrow into, feed, dwell, and reproduce onto the host's skin to derive their sustenance. In most cases, this eventually leads to infestations and pathology. Among cattle, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is one of the most widely distributed species of cattle ticks around the world, most especially in tropical and subtropical countries. Some of the alarming dangers of the cattle ticks' infestation include transmission of diseases from cattle to humans, considered to be the second worldwide vector of human diseases, and even deaths.
Cattle ticks captured during the research
It also affects small-scale cattle industries' livelihood. Infestations of cattle ticks burden our local farmers of productivity decrease—affecting more and more families each day and resulting in unwanted profit loss. So, what did we do about it?
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated that 80 percent of the cattle population are at risk from ticks and having tick-borne diseases. Naturally, tick control has had to be prioritized. This is mainly done through the application of pesticides against ticks called chemical acaricides. Acaricides include chlorinated hydrocarbons, organophosphorous, carbamates, pyrethroids, formamidines, and avermectins. However, resistance against these chemical acaricides has been reported in several countries but the Philippines has yet to investigate it.
Fortunately, on October 27, 2021, the Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP), in collaboration with DOST Regional Office 1, will bring us the battle plan against cattle ticks during its Regional Basic Research Caravan (RBRC) with basic research and veterinary medicine as its arsenal from 9 AM to 12 NN via Zoom.
Dr. Remil L. Galay, Regular Member/Secretary of the NRCP Division of Veterinary Medicine, will share the basic research results of Cattle Ticks' Resistance Against Multiple Chemical Acaricides in Northern Luzon Provinces which is known to have high cattle population.
Consequently, the RBRC will invite multiple cattle industry stakeholders from small-scale to large-scale groups. The Research and Development Council, the Agriculture Department of Northern Luzon Provinces, and more are to collaborate and discuss evidence-based policy as a response to the cattle ticks' issue and the cattle's developing resistance from chemical acaricides. Meanwhile, Ms. Jason Ligot, MD., Director for Development Communications of Organic Intelligence Consulting, Inc. will deliver the rapporteur's report.
Ms. Flor Marie Immanuelle R. Pilapil-Amante, MS., Associate Member of the NRCP Division of Veterinary Medicine will be the Master of Ceremonies. Dr. Melbourne R. Talactac, Regular Member of the NRCP Division of Veterinary Medicine will moderate the Open Forum at around 10:00 AM.
The NRCP RBRC: Cattle Ticks Talk is also in celebration of the National Science and Technology Week 2021.
Written by Regine Pustadan