Beyond Borders and Species: Personal reflections on why ticks challenge surveillance in Africa

In this personal perspective, Lawabien Osée Joyce Toé, PhD Student in Emerging Vector-borne Disease at Université Nazi Boni and Centre Muraz and RSTMH Student Ambassador, reflects on field experiences in Burkina Faso to highlight the growing importance of ticks as vectors of disease, the challenges of limited surveillance, and the need for an integrated One Health approach.

Observations from the field, personal awareness

From my personal perspective, unlike mosquitoes, ticks are often overlooked as a public health priority. They do not bite en masse, buzz loudly, or cause immediate outbreaks. However, they are capable of transmitting a wide variety of pathogens, including viruses responsible for haemorrhagic fevers, bacteria, and parasites. In the field, I quickly realized that ticks are patient and effective vectors. Their long life cycle, their ability to survive in a variety of environmental conditions and their close association with domestic and wild animals make them key players in the emergence of diseases that are still poorly understood in Africa. As a student, my studies immersed me in the challenges of global health, particularly the fascinating and sometimes frightening world of ticks. My modest experience in the field, in Burkina Faso, was a real revelation. I witnessed the distress of farmers whose livestock is decimated by diseases transmitted by these arachnids. I listened to their stories, often tinged with helplessness, as they faced ticks that seemed invincible, resistant to treatments that worked until recently, each sharing their knowledge and tips for combating these tiny creatures. What I have learned is that ticks are not just a local problem for livestock; they are an essential link in a complex chain of emerging health threats, a potential flaw in our global health security. It is this perspective, at the crossroads of animal, human, and environmental health, that I wish to share with you.

Caption: Hyalomma spp. ticks parasitizing a cow, a vector for emerging diseases whose surveillance is crucial. Photo credit: Dr Hamidou Maiga.

The Silence of Data: Navigating blindly in an ocean of risks

One of the most pressing challenges, in my view is the is the limited availability of surveillance data in Africa. Without reliable, up-to-date information on the species of ticks present, including those from the genus Hyalomma, and the diseases they carry, we are unable to anticipate epidemics, target our interventions, or evaluate the effectiveness of our strategies. From my perspective, this lack of visibility is not just a statistical gap; it is a dangerous blind spot that leaves us vulnerable. How can we protect communities if we do not know where and when the threat is greatest? This is a fundamental question that, I believe, should concern us all.

A Changing Climate, Expanding Habitats: When nature changes the rules of the game

Climate change is not a distant threat; it is a tangible reality that is already reshaping epidemiological landscapes. Areas of Africa that were once too arid or too cold for certain species of ticks are now becoming hospitable environments. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are creating new habitats conducive to their proliferation and geographical expansion. This means that populations that were previously not exposed to certain tick-borne diseases are now on the front line. It is a complex dynamic in which the environment, wildlife, and human health are inextricably linked. My research has shown me that understanding these interactions is essential for developing effective adaptation strategies.

Livestock and shepherds are constantly exposed to ticks. Photo credit: Dr Hamidou Maiga.

Acaricide Resistance: A lost race against time?

Growing resistance to acaricides is a major concern, particularly evident in the farming communities I have encountered. These chemicals, designed to protect livestock from tick infestations, are becoming less effective. The intensive and sometimes inappropriate use of acaricides has exerted selective pressure on tick populations, favouring the emergence of resistant strains. It is a veritable arms race in which ticks seem to have the upper hand. This resistance has devastating economic consequences for farmers, but it also poses an increased risk to public health, as more infested livestock means greater circulation of pathogens. It is imperative that we rethink our tick management strategies, adopting more sustainable and integrated approaches.

African Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus senegallus) captured in Burkina Faso in the Ballé region, a migratory bird flying over a tick-prone ecosystem in West Africa. Photo credit: Lawabien Osée Joyce Toé.

An Ecological Trojan Horse: The bird

One aspect that particularly fascinated me during my research was the role of migratory birds in the long-distance spread of ticks and pathogens. These tireless travellers, connecting entire continents, do not only carry seeds or stories; they can also carry infected ticks thousands of kilometres. Imagine a tick clinging to a bird in Africa, crossing the Mediterranean and detaching in Europe, potentially introducing a pathogen into a new ecosystem. This is a perfect illustration of how geographical boundaries are meaningless to these tiny parasites. These complex dynamics highlight the importance of cross-border surveillance and international collaboration to understand and manage these emerging risks.

The One Health Approach: The only way forward for a safer future

Faced with these interconnected challenges, it is clear to me that we can no longer address human, animal, and environmental health in isolation. This is where the One Health approach comes into its own. For me, it is much more than a concept; it is a philosophy, a necessity. We cannot address human health without considering the health of the animals with whom we share our environment, nor the health of that environment itself. Combating tick-borne diseases requires collaboration between veterinarians, doctors, ecologists, sociologists, and policy makers. It is by breaking down silos and working together that we will be able to develop holistic and sustainable solutions.

A call to action for integrated pest management in Africa

From my personal perspective, the development of robust data production and integrated surveillance systems in Africa is critical for preventing future epidemics.

It is an investment in our collective future. This involves supporting local research, training health professionals, establishing robust surveillance systems, and promoting knowledge sharing. By adopting a One Health perspective and acting proactively, we can turn today's challenges into opportunities to build a healthier and more resilient world for all. This is a commitment I am making personally, and I hope you will join me in this endeavour.

About the Authors

Lawabien Osée Joyce  Toé is a PhD Student in Emerging Vector-borne Disease at Université Nazi Boni and Centre Muraz, RSTMH Student Ambassador.

Hamidou Maiga is a Senior Medical Entomologist at Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé and Centre Muraz, RSTMH Country Ambassador.

Acknowledgments 

The authors would like to acknowledge the European Union’s HORIZONJU-GH-EDCTP3-2024-01-two-stage action under grant agreement No 101190792 (Acronym ResTick) and by the HFSP Research Grant Award ID RGP010/2025.