Tropical bont tick eradication campaign in the French Antilles. Current status

The Amblyomma variegatum eradication campaign was officially started in April 1994 in Martinique and in Guadeloupe, including its dependencies of Marie Galante, Desirade and St Martin. A budget of $10.5 and $5.9 million for Guadeloupe and Martinique, respectively, was initially (1991) calculated and considered necessary to achieve the program. However, EEC, the most important donor, estimated that 75% only of this proposal was acceptable, on which it agrees to support a maximum of 50%. The balance had to be provided by French government, local political institutions, and animal owners. The current budget actualized in 1995 by veterinary authorities of Martinique and Guadeloupe is $7,200,000 and $9,900,000 respectively. The program will take 5 years: preparation (1 year), acaricide application (3 years), surveillance (1 year). During this first year, a pilot committee was established, and a project leader was designated for each island. Efforts were essentially oriented to organize the program in the field and to obtain funds from French and local counterparts. Funds allowed the recruitment and training of 19 new agents in Guadeloupe and 9 in Martinique, in addition to personnel already involved in the tick control program. Census of animal owners and identification of cattle started or were developed. Tenders were invited to provide vehicles and acaricides. For the latter, choices were made considering the prices and efficacy as well as funds available. Due to a limited budget and cost of pour-on formulations, pour-on acaricides will be used on a maximum of 30% of animals only. In order to investigate animal owners' reticences and the most appropriate media channels to establish a communication and a training program, a survey was conducted in Guadeloupe on a sample of 301 animal owners. The results are presented. In order to strengthen the chances of success of the campaign in the French islands, it is expected that a similar program will take place soon in infested neighboring islands.