First digital characterization of the transhumance corridors through Benin used by cattle herds from Burkina Faso and associated risk scoring regarding the invasion of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

Olivier M Zannou; Achille S Ouedraogo; Abel S Biguezoton; Laetitia Lempereur; Kouassi Patrick Yao; Emmanuel Abatih; Sébastien Zoungrana; Marc Lenaert; Patrice Toe; Souaïbou Farougou; Claude Saegerman

doi:10.1111/tbed.13855

First digital characterization of the transhumance corridors through Benin used by cattle herds from Burkina Faso and associated risk scoring regarding the invasion of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

Transbound Emerg Dis. 2021 Jul;68(4):2079-2093. doi: 10.1111/tbed.13855. Epub 2020 Oct 8.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Research Unit in Epidemiology and Risk Analysis applied to veterinary sciences (UREAR-ULg), Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health (FARAH) Center, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liege, Belgium.
² Vector-borne Diseases and Biodiversity Unit (UMaVeB), International Research and Development Centre on Livestock in Sub-humid Areas (CIRDES), Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
³ Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health (FARAH) Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
⁴ UFR Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
⁵ Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Sciences and Statistics, University of Gent, Gent, Belgium.
⁶ Faculty of Social and Politics Sciences, Laboratory of Anthropology of the contemporary worlds, Libre University of Brussels (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
⁷ Département Sociologie et économie rurales (DSER), Laboratoire d'études rurales sur l'environnement et le développement économique et social, LERE/DES), Université Nazi BONI, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
⁸ Communicable Disease Research Unit (URMaT), Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.

PMID: 32985112
DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13855

Abstract

Background: Livestock plays a key role in the macro-economy of West Africa and provides livelihoods for millions of people. The main cattle rearing strategy in West Africa is pastoralism, including transhumance, that is a seasonal migration of cattle with their herders. This adaptive strategy aims to optimize livestock access to water and pastures. However, it can favour pathogens and vectors transboundary spread. The aim of this study was to highlight firstly, the corridors and grazing areas used by Burkina Faso transhumant cattle herds going to Benin; secondly, the characteristics of departure and arrival areas of transhumance; and thirdly, the risk score related to introduction and spread of the invasive tick species, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, in free areas.

Methods and principal findings: Therefore, GPS devices were given to 27 herders to monitor a full transhumance season between East Burkina Faso and North Benin. The analysis of 14,966 spots generated by the GPS devices revealed four main corridors and five main grazing areas used by cattle herds during transhumance. Statistical analysis of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), rainfall and temperature data, highlighted significant differences between departure and arrival areas. NDVI and rainfall are significantly higher in Benin than Burkina Faso, whereas temperature is significantly lower. Additionally, using biotic and abiotic parameters, a risk scoring was developed to predict the presence of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus at municipality level.

Conclusions and significance: The better vegetation, temperature and rainfall conditions during the dry seasons in Benin attract cattle herds from Burkina Faso. The invasiveness and adaptability of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus added to the frequent stays of transhumant herds in infested areas suggest its potential introduction and establishment in free areas soon. Moreover, frequent intrusions of the transhumant cattle in the wildlife reserves are another risk of vectors and pathogen exchange between domestic and wild animals.

Keywords: Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus; Benin; Burkina Faso; cattle; ticks; transhumance.

MeSH terms

Animals
Benin / epidemiology
Burkina Faso / epidemiology
Cattle
Cattle Diseases* / epidemiology
Rhipicephalus*
Tick Infestations* / epidemiology
Tick Infestations* / veterinary

Grants and funding

Support to the epidemiological surveillance network of animal diseases and related sociological aspects in West Africa (Acronym: TransTicks)/Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES)