Research Article
Munaja Nasero, Yonas Tolosa Ro
Abstract
Background: Ticks are widely distributed throughout the world particularly in tropical and sub-tropical countries, which cause tremendous economic importance in livestock production. This cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence, determine the identity of ixodid ticks at the genus level, and their preferred sites on body parts of cattle at Itang special district of Ethiopia. Despite the fact that numerous studies were conducted on ixodid ticks of cattle in many parts of Ethiopia, no enough data is available on ticks infecting cattle at the study area. Data on the prevalence, type of ticks, and specific predilection site determination is essential for the development of an effective control strategy of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Result: From the total of 384 cattle examined for ixodid ticks, 320 (83.3%) of the animals were found positive for one or more types ticks. A total number of 2000 adult ticks were collected from half body parts of infested cattle and identified at the genus level. From the infested cattle, 3 genera namely Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipiciphalus and one subgenus Boophilus were identified with a relative infestation rate of 32.8%, 19.1%, 12.7%, and 35.5% respectively. The higher average sex ratio of 2.55:1 was observed in males than females in all genera of studied ticks. The study also found that the most infested body parts of the cattle were dewlap/brisket (20.1%) followed by genital and anal (19.7%), neck and head (19.4%), udder and scrotum (17.5%), belly (17.1%), and legs (6.2%). Age-wise ticks infestation was recorded higher in 5 years old and above at 85.5% than in younger cattle (<5 years old) at 79.6%. The infestation level of ticks in poor, medium and good body condition was found to be 86.7%, 90.9%, and 75.3% respectively. Conclusion: The study revealed the widespread occurrence of ixodid tick infestation in cattle of the study area. Thus improved management practices and well-coordinated control interventions are required and further study at specieslevel identification and their zoonotic importance are recommended.