Sheep Farms in Spain Face Hidden Threat

The Mediterranean region in Europe is seeing a rise in a disease called ovine anaplasmosis. This illness is caused by a tiny bacterium named Anaplasma ovis. The main way it spreads is through ticks. However, there is not enough information about how widespread this disease is across Europe. A recent investigation focused on sheep farms in Aragón, Spain. The goal was to find out how common A. ovis is in this area. The study took place from March 2023 to April 2024. Researchers collected blood samples from 700 sheep across 70 farms. These farms were in different climate zones within Aragón. The results were surprising. Almost every farm tested positive for the bacterium. Only one farm, located in a dry, steppe climate near Zaragoza, did not have the bacterium. This farm was at a low elevation, about 240 meters above sea level. Interestingly, none of the sheep showed any signs of being sick during the study. One big issue that came to light was the lack of knowledge among farmers. Only a third of them had even heard of the disease. This shows a clear need for better education and awareness. The study also suggests that climate and farming practices might not be the main factors in how the disease spreads. The findings highlight the need for better control measures. Farmers need more information and support to manage this hidden threat. Further research is also necessary to understand the environmental and management factors that could lead to outbreaks. This way, the sheep industry in Aragón can be better prepared to handle the challenges posed by A. ovis.