Repellency effect of flumethrin pour-on formulation against vectors of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.

BACKGROUND

Ticks are able to transmit important diseases to humans, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Q fever, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, summer Russian encephalitis, and relapsing fever.

AIMS: To determine the repellency effect of 1% flumethrin pour-on formulation against hard ticks.

METHODS

The concentration of flumethrin pour-on formulation was 1 mg/10 kg body weight and was administered on the dorsal midline from the head to the base of the tail. The livestock included cows, goats, oxen and sheep in 2 villages in Ardabil Province, Islamic Republic of Iran.

RESULTS

We studied 200 livestock comprising 5 age groups (< 2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and >8 years). The main hard ticks identified were Hyalomma species (62.5%) and Rhipicephalus bursa (37.5%). In the treatment village, the maximum number of ticks per animal was 11.6 in oxen, 9.5 in sheep, 8.9 in goats and 8.6 in cattle. The repellency effect of flumethrin remained for 2 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Flumethrin provided 2 months protection against hard ticks. Therefore, it could be used in the livestock industry. Control of ticks is important for prevention of disease transmission.