Infestation of Ixodidae Ticks in Cattle: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Ambo District, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia, ticks cause serious economic loss, particularly in ruminants. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ambo district, Western Ethiopia from October 2018 to June, 2019with the objectives of determining the prevalence, identifying the associated risk factors, and the tick species of cattle in the area. From five purposively selected kebeles (the smallest administrative unit of Ethiopia) of the district, a total of 384 cattle were selected by systematic random sampling method. Adult Ixodid ticks were collected from different body parts of infested cattle, preserved in 10% formalin, and transported to AmboUniversity Veterinary Parasitology Laboratory for stereomicroscopic identification to species level. Among 384 cattle examined, 201(52.34%) cattle were infested with one or two tick species. A higher prevalence of tick infestation was recorded in Degele Gatirakebele(53.25%), followed by Abebe Doyo(50.65%), Gosu Kora (50.65%), Kisose Liban(50.65%) and Senkele Faris(56.59%). The study investigated three genera of Ixodid ticks namely Rhipicephalus (41.7%), Boophilus (0.8%) and Amblyomma (2.60%). Mixedinfestations were common including Rh. Boophilus and Amblyomma 24(6.25%) and Rh.Boophilus and Rhipicephalus 4(1.04%). The study identified four species of ticks; namely Rh. (Bo.) decoloratus 109 (28.40%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus 43(11.20%),Amblyomma vareigatum 3(0.80%) and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi 11(2.90%). The difference in tick infestation was found to be statistically insignificant (P >0.05) between different age groups and kebeles but statistically significant (P <0.05) among sex groups, breeds and different body condition scores (P <0.05). In conclusion, this study indicatedhigh prevalence of tick infestationand identified most important ticks that can transmitvarious livestock diseases. Proper tick eradication campaign should be conducted toreduce the tick burden in the study area,and concomitantlyreduce tick-borne diseasesandassociated economic losses

Keywords

• ambo district; cattle; ectoparasites; prevalence; risk factors; ticks