Sheep Tick Survey

• 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.
• Sheep Tick Survey report - available in the Project Report Folder.