Sub-Saharan Africa, with its hot and humid climate, is a conducive zone for tick proliferation. These vectors pose a major challenge to both animal and human health in the region. However, despite the relevance of emerging diseases and evidence of tick-borne disease emergence, very few studies have been dedicated to investigating zoonotic pathogens transmitted by ticks in this area. To raise awareness of the risks of tick-borne zoonotic diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, and to define a direction for future research, this systematic review considers the trends of research on tick-borne bacteria, parasites, and viruses from 2012 to 2023, aiming to highlight the circulation of these pathogens in ticks, cattle, sheep, goats, and humans. For this purpose, three international databases were screened to select 159 papers fitting designed inclusion criteria and used for qualitative analyses. Analysis of these studies revealed a high diversity of tick-borne pathogens in sub-Saharan Africa, with a total of 37 bacterial species, 27 parasite species, and 14 viruses identified. Among these, 27% were zoonotic pathogens, yet only 11 studies investigated their presence in humans. Furthermore, there is growing interest in the investigation of bacteria and parasites in both ticks and ruminants. However, research into viruses is limited and has only received notable interest from 2021 onwards. While studies on the detection of bacteria, including those of medical interest, have focused on ticks, little consideration has been given to these vectors in studies of parasites circulation. Regarding the limited focus on zoonotic pathogens transmitted by ticks, particularly in humans, despite documented cases of emerging zoonoses and the notable 27% proportion reported, further efforts should be made to fill these gaps. Future studies should prioritize the investigation of zoonotic pathogens, especially viruses, which represent the primary emerging threats, by adopting a One Health approach. This will enhance the understanding of their circulation and impact on both human and animal health. In addition, more attention should be given to the risk factors/drivers associated to their emergence as well as the perception of the population at risk of infection from these zoonotic pathogens.

In West Africa, tick-borne diseases (TBDs) cause substantial animal health losses while simultaneously exposing farming communities to zoonotic risks. Despite this dual burden, the perception of ticks as specific disease vectors among livestock farmers remains largely unexplored. This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to tick-borne zoonoses among peri-urban cattle farmers in Burkina Faso and Benin within a One Health framework. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 39 peri-urban cattle farmers owning at least 50 head of cattle in Burkina Faso (n = 24) and Benin (n = 15). A structured 108-items questionnaire collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, herd composition, and KAP dimensions. Four composite scores were constructed: knowledge (0- 3), biosecurity (0-6), risk awareness (0-4), and risk practices (0-3). Statistical analyses included non-parametric tests, effect size measures (Cohen’s d), and bootstrap-validated multiple linear regression models. Knowledge levels (1.28/3, 43%) and risk awareness (1.10/4, 28%) were globally low, while high-risk practices were near-universal (2.59/3, 86%). Strikingly, no farmer correctly named a single animal or human tick-borne disease. Widespread confusion between ticks and other arthropod vectors was observed, indicating that ticks are not perceived as specific epidemiological threats. A “knowledge-behavior paradox” was identified: Burkinabe farmers displayed significantly higher knowledge scores (p = 0.010, d = 0.90) yet engaged in more frequent risk practices (p = 0.010, d = 0.97) than Beninese farmers. Herd size was the strongest predictor of risk practices (Spearman ? = 0.50, p = 0.008), with 100% of large herd owners (>70 Tropical Livestock Unit) reaching the maximum risk score. Furthermore, Fulani farmers showed significantly lower risk awareness than other ethnic groups (p = 0.021, d = -1.06). While the theoretical KAP chain was partially validated regarding the link between knowledge and awareness (Spearman ? = 0.50, p = 0.008), it broke down at the behavioral level, where awareness did not correlate with safer practices (Spearman ? = 0.00, p = 1). The failure to identify ticks as specific disease vectors, combined with prevalent high-risk practices, represents a critical gap for both animal and human health. These findings have global implications, as expanding tick distribution ranges and growing human-livestock interfaces amplify zoonotic risks. Effective interventions must integrate tick-specific health education, culturally sensitive approaches targeting Fulani communities, and the utilization of veterinary networks as entry points for coordinated One Health messaging.