Spotlight on avian pathology: red mite, a serious emergent problem in layer hens

ABSTRACT

Dermanyssus gallinae, the poultry red mite, is currently the most important ectoparasite of the egg laying industry worldwide with an expanding global prevalence. As a blood-feeder, it causes anaemia and severe welfare issues to the hens and it is a major cause of economic losses. It is also a vector for Salmonella species, avian influenza and potentially for other vector-borne pathogens. Paradoxically, there is a notable lack of funding for research into poultry red mite and an urgent need for effective and safe control strategies, sustainable therapies, prophylactics and integrated pest management.

KEYWORDS:

• Parasite
• laying hens
• economic losses
• welfare
• research
• control

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank COST for its support of the COREMI project for “Improving current understanding and research for sustainable control of the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae” (www.coremi.eu).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.