CHARACTERIZING VECTOR DYNAMICS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASE TRANSMISSION IN FREE-RANGING DOGS IN RURAL AREAS

Abstract

The present research investigated the dynamics of vectors and transmission of tick-borne diseases in free-ranging dogs in the rural setting by using a comprehensive mixed-methods approach.  We examined 450 dogs and tick prevalence was 78 percent in males and 82 percent in adult dogs.  The most prevalent tick species was Rhipicephalus sanguineus, constituting 58% of the ticks collected.  The most prevalent pathogen was Ehrlichia canis (27.8%), followed by Anaplasma platys (21.3%), Babesia vogeli (16%), and Rickettsia spp. (13.1%). Multi-infected dogs were 9 percent.  The multivariate logistic regression model demonstrated that adult age, poor body condition, high tick burden, proximity to animals, and unrestrained roaming behavior are important predictors of pathogen positive (p<0.001).  Advanced warmth, moisture, and vegetation cover were also strongly interrelated with increased tick density (p<0.001).  In a sociocultural research, it was identified that 74 percent of dogs were allowed to roam freely and only 18 percent of owners employed some form of tick control.  Spatial analysis additionally indicated the regional hotspots of the disease, particular close to livestock and animal environments.  These findings demonstrate the significance of free-ranging dogs as reservoirs and amplifiers of tick-borne diseases in rural environments.  The research leads to the strongly vital demand of extensive One Health initiatives to integrate vector control, community education, veterinary management, and environmental monitoring to mitigate the zoonotic threats associated with tick-borne diseases in the countryside.