Project Leader	Tanaka Tetsuya（Kagoshima University, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine）
Collaborators	Yamazaki Wataru (Kyoto University, Center for Southeast Asian Studies) Galay Remil Linggatong (University of the Philippines, Los Baños College of Veterinary Medicine) Talactac Melborune Rio (Cavite State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science)
Research Project	Establishment of convenient and rapid diagnosis method for tick-borne animal diseases
Countries of Study	Philippines

Outline of Research

Southeast Asia, especially the Philippines, has experienced remarkable economic growth in recent years, and exports of agricultural and livestock products to Japan have increased rapidly. However, various infectious diseases in the region are the most critical factor preventing the improvement of livestock productivity. Damage caused by tick-borne infectious diseases is considered particularly serious, and clarification of the actual situation is an urgent and pressing need. This study assesses tick and tick-borne animal infectious disease outbreaks in the Philippines. This country has active trade with Japan and thus the study will contribute to strengthening Japan's import quarantine system as well as the improvement and dissemination of diagnostic techniques in the Philippines.

Purpose of Research, Its Significance and Expected Results, etc.

This study assesses the prevalence of tick-borne animal infectious diseases in the Philippines, which is geographically close to Japan. We will investigate the prevalence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens, such as piroplasmosis. In particular, Babesia, a parasite transmitted by ticks, causes fatal blood infections in cattle. To date, diseases like this have not caused major concern in Japan. However, because ticks that can transmit these parasites have been confirmed to exist in Japan, the likelihood of their spread is high, which will make control even more difficult. By focusing on the prevalence of tick-borne animal infectious diseases in the Philippines, this study aims to contribute to 1) the improvement of diagnostic and preventive measures in the Philippines, and 2) strengthening Japan's import quarantine system. 　

The Principal Investigators have made numerous research achievements in diagnosing, preventing, and treating ticks and tick-borne animal infectious diseases. This project is significant in that 1) the Principal Investigators will conduct epidemiological studies using the experimental techniques and original diagnostic methods they have established for ticks and tick-borne animal infectious diseases, and 2) we will have a strong network of local partners, mainly doctoral graduates in this field and other research collaborators.