Heartwater surveillance in Guadeloupe: a model of partnership between research and surveillance for the Caribbean

Heartwater, a tick-borne disease of ruminants transmitted by Amblyomma ticks is present in 3 Caribbean islands: Guadeloupe, Marie-Galante and Antigua, representing a threat for neighboring islands and North America. Despite the availability of efficient acaricides, no significant improvement has been seen in vector and disease control. The Ticks and tick borne disease working group of the Caribbean animal health network (CaribVET) recommended Guadeloupe the conduct of (1) a sociologic study to understand farmers' reluctance to adopt efficient treatment; and (2) heartwater surveillance. A passive surveillance network monitoring ruminant neurological syndromes, RESPANG, was set up in July 2010. RESPANG objectives are to assess the burden of heartwater and sensitize farmers. Private veterinarians collect blood and ticks after farmer reporting of clinical suspicion. Diagnostic for heartwater, babesiosis and anaplasmosis is performed at CIRAD. An online database displays results on interactive maps allowing the identification of areas where communication campaigns by farmer association can be focused. Leaflets and key messages were developed, based on the recommendations of the sociological survey. Out of 238 suspicions, 30.5% were positive for heartwater all along the year. Analysis of the factors associated with heartwater is currently ongoing. RESPANG shows excellent partner involvement and interaction. Surveillance performance indicators will improve network operation and coordination. Long-term data set will enable to assess the impact of communication campaign and possibly to detect introduction of diseases with similar clinical signs. In parallel, pathogen and vector genetic characterization is being developed using RESPANG samples. This shows the tight link between surveillance network and research activities. CaribVET supports the establishment of similar networks for other diseases in other Caribbean islands. (Texte intégral