Positive rates of anti-acari-borne disease antibodies of rural inhabitants in Japan

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 81; no. 5; pp. 758 - 763
• Main Authors: TAKEDA, Tsutomu, FUJITA, Hiromi, IWASAKI, Masumi, KASAI, Moe, TATORI, Nanako, ENDO, Tomohiko, KODERA, Yuuji, YAMABATA, Naoto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 2019; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: acari-borne disease; Antibodies; Hunting; Infectious diseases; mountainous farming area; Public Health; Rural areas; Rural populations; wildlife management; Japan; acari-borne disease; wildlife management; mountainous farming area
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.18-0572

An assessment of acari (tick and mite) borne diseases was required to support development of risk management strategies in rural areas. To achieve this objective, blood samples were mainly collected from rural residents participating in hunting events. Out of 1,152 blood samples, 93 were positive against acari-borne pathogens from 12 prefectures in Japan. Urban areas had a lower rate of positive antibodies, whereas mountainous farming areas had a higher positive antibody prevalence. Residents of mountain areas were bitten by ticks or mites significantly more often than urban residents. Resident of mountain areas, including hunters, may necessary to be educated for prevention of akari-borne infectious diseases.