Summary

Tick-borne parasites are of major socio-economic importance in livestock production in Zimbabwe. In addition, these parasites can infect wild ruminants, where they can be propagated or become important reservoirs of infection. The status of tick-borne parasites and their impact following the agrarian reforms and economic melt down has not been investigated especially in the interface areas. The main tick-borne parasites to be investigated are Ehrlichia ruminantium Babesia bigemina, Babesia bovis, Anaplasma marginale Anaplasma central, and Theileria parva. bovis, and Theileria parva. lawrencei in both domestic and wildlife animals using serological and nucleic-acid-based (PCR) tests.

The general objective is to establish tick and tick-borne parasite diversity and distribution in the cattle and wildlife in the interface area. The study aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the tick challenge and diversity in livestock and selected wild ruminants in the interface area?

2. What is the rate of parasitic isolation and diversity from ticks found on wildlife and livestock using DNA techniques?

3. What is the seroprevalence of these tick- borne parasites in livestock and selected wildlife?

4. What is rate of isolation and strains of these parasites in blood samples livestock and selected wildlife of using PCR?

5. What is the effect of the agrarian reforms on the status of these ticks and the tick-borne parasites in the interface?

The study will help in giving an insight on the new status of the tick vector and the tick-borne parasites in the interface. It will also give insight of the role of wildlife in the epidemiology of these parasites and their sustenance of the tick vector. This information is critical in crafting animal husbandry policies for either eradication or creating endemic stability of these parasites which will subsequently improve socio-economic status of those that rely on livestock for livelihoods.