Prevalence of Ixodid Ticks of Cattle in Sedal District of Khamashi Zone, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia

A cross section study was conducted from October 2016 to April 2017 in Sedal district of Khamashi zone of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State with the objectives of determining the prevalence and Risk factors associated with tick infestations and to identify different tick genera and their species. The prevalence of ticks in relation to age, sex, body condition, and origin of animal was studied. Out of the 384 cattle examined, 298 (77.6%) were found with being infested by one or more tick species. About 2687 ticks were collected and the collected tick were preserved with70% alcohol and were identified to genera and species level by using stereo-microscope. From the total ticks collected, Three genera’s namely; Amblyomma, Rhipicephalus, and Hyalomma and five species were identified of, which Amblyomma variegatum was the most abundant tick species comprising of 26.8 % of the total collection and the least abundant tick species was Rhipicephalus bursa (0.8%). The association of the prevalence of tick infestation by different risk factors was assessed to be statistically insignificant between sexes and body condition of cattle. Male animals were not significantly infested than females, which were 36.0% and 51.0%, respectively. The prevalence of tick infestation was was found highest in poor body condition animals (27.9%) while in medium and good body condition, it was found (25.8%) and (24%), respectively. However, there was statistically significant (p<0.05, p=0.04) variation between the age groups; adult cattle were infested than the old and young age group, which were 33.8%, 27.3%) than 16.5% respectively. Tick infestation of cattle was more prevalent in Gokaya (23.4%) and Meguchay (19.1%) than Diza (18.2%) and Shawa (16.9%) cattle. It was concluded that tick species identified which was a threat to the cattle population in Sedal district, irrespective of age, sex, origin, body condition of the animal of the study area. In line with this, we recommend further study to assess the ecological, management and host related factors influencing tick infestation, there by appropriate control measure should be put in place. Keywords: Tick, Cattle, Ixodid Tick, Prevalence DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/11-17-02 Publication date:September 30th 202