The Caribbean amblyomma eradication programme: Success or failure?

Full text: The Tropical Bont Tick (TBT), Amblyomma variegatum, was introduced into Guadeloupe in the mid 1700's and into Antigua about 100 years later. It was mainly restricted to these islands until the mid-1970's, when the tick spread rapidly, coincident with the introduction and expansion of the cattle egret population. The TBT became established on 18 islands, and it was estimated that potential losses of USD 762 million annually could occur to the livestock industry if the tick and its associated diseases, heartwater and dermatophilosis became widely established. In late 1994, an eradication programme was initiated, with FAO providing the lead technical role. In the TBT-infested countries, the project strategy was based on the two-weekly application of the acaricide, Bayticol pour-on, for a minimum period of 30 months. Farmers were made responsible for regular treatment of their livestock, and the strategy was reinforced through direct and intensive public information programmes using various media and services to ensure sensitisation of farmers and the public. An intensive surveillance programme for the TBT was carried out and all data were entered into customised database 'TickINFO'. Although progress was slower than originally foreseen, 'Declarations of Provisional Freedom from the TBT' were held in St Kitts and St Lucia (November 2001), Anguilla and Montserrat (February 2002), and in Barbados and Dominica (February 2003) after defined periods of apparent freedom from the TBT. Unfortunately, however, St Kitts, St Lucia and Dominica have all had re-infestations or re-crudescences of the TBT since being certified provisionally free. Three CAP islands remain infested: Antigua, Nevis and St Maarten/St Martin. Up to 2004, USDA had provided approximately half of the total operating budget for the TBT eradication programme (approximately USD 12.0 million donor funds) from 1995-2004. To maintain their investment, USDA developed a detailed strategic plan for the five-year period 2004-2009. USDA/APHIS continued to request increased funding through Fiscal Years 2004-2006, although to date no increase has been approved by US Congress. Thus the programme may be terminated before it has attained its goal of regional eradication of the TBT. There are four major conclusions that can be drawn at this critical stage: 1. Overall harmonisation of the implementation of the programme through the umbrella of the Amblyomma Programme Council (APC) was effective, albeit informal. It should have been given a legal mandate under a multi-institutional agreement, rather than a series of potentially conflicting and incompatible agreements. 2. The technical design and methodology proposed in the original project document was flawed. It can be concluded that the revised approach, using public information and communications to facilitate and support the active participation of all livestock owners was cost effective and generally sustainable. 3. During the course of implementation, it was also recognized that the original technical conceptualisation of the TBT eradication model, established from simulation scenarios from experiences of TBT eradication in Puerto Rico, was based on two defective assumptions. The model had adopted unsound scientific criteria as livestock husbandry methods practised by small scale livestock owners in small Caribbean islands are quite dissimilar to those adopted by commercial farmers in Puerto Rico. 4. An urgent decision must be made as to the future of the programme if additional funding is not available within a few months to continue and conclude eradication activities. It is recommended that a TBT management strategy is adopted on all infested islands, with full cost recovery for acaricides, and a stronger application of the existing legislation to minimise any further spread. (author)