Sheep ticks and the diseases they spread were identified as a threat, part way through the project.
Specialist input was sought from Professor Roy Brown, who has experience of monitoring tick populations and analysis to identify the diseases they carry.
The tick population on the moor was found to be very high
The average number of ticks (of all life stages) on a 30m2 plot in the 12 locations tested is 2.7. A high impact value is generally set at 0.5 ticks per 30m2.
The analysis of the ticks identified that a wide range of tick-borne diseases is present; these have the potential to have significant impact on livestock, humans and wildlife.
Four pathogens were positively identified: Flavivirus, Ehrlichia, Babesia and Borrelia.
Staphylococus aureus was present universally.
Engorged ticks were collected from 10 cattle.
All tested positive for tick-borne fever Anaplasma phagocytophilum.
In humans and animals, this disease can compromise the immune system.
Conclusions
The sheep tick population on Molland Moor provides a high level of risk to the health and welfare of humans, livestock and wildlife.
Further work is required to establish the full extent of the threat and to develop a strategy for mitigating the risk.
This work commenced in the 12-month extension to the project and it will continue beyond, if possible.
Additional work is taking place to establish the impact of Red Deer on the spread of tick-borne diseases and whether the deer can be linked to the spread of Bovine TB.
Further Information
The Graze the Moor Project Final Report – section 18.
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