Tabanid Infestation of Cattle and Its Implications for Public Health

Female tabanids are important for public health and veterinary. As bloodsucking pests and vectors of disease agents they give harm to humans. They serve as vectors of such agents as Dermatobia hominis, Loa loa, Tularemi, Bacillus anthrasis, Trypanosoma evansi, Coxiella burunetti, Dirofilaria repens. Cattlemen living here raise their cattle on vineyards and orchards, olive groves, almond groves or uncultivated lands. These animals are tied with a halter and a long strap fixed to the ground. The aim of this study was to investigate tabanids infestation in Datça, Muğla. The study was conducted from April 2018 in Datça district. In this paper the Holstein hybrid cattle, old male cattle, tabanids sucking its blood as well as the diseases caused by tabanids are the subject of the study. The skin integrity on the lateral aspect of distal metacarpus in the left hind limb of the cattle was impaired. Hundreds of tabanids lacerated the skin, and sucked blood, causing hemorrhage in the epidermis. This study revealed that tabanids constitute a threat to animal and public health. We highlight the importance of effective prevention and control measures during periods in which these flies are active. More comprehensive epidemiological studies should be undertaken and national control programs are required to keep the tabanids infestation under control. 

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