Prevalence of ixodid (hard ticks) infestation on cattle at Sabon gari, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Northern Nigeria has high number of cattle populations, the majority of which are in the hands of Fulani herdsmen. A cross-sectional study was conducted with the aim of determining the common species of ticks and their prevalence on cattle in three selected areas within Sabon Gari- Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria from June 2018 to October 2018. During the period, a total of 384 cattle were sampled and 439 ticks (Ixodidae) were collected from 335 infested cattle in the selected sampling sites. Three genera of ticks comprising five species were found infesting cattle in Sabon Gari. Amblyomma variegatum (47.8%; 210/439) constituted the highest percentage of ticks collected from the sample sites, followed by Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus (31.0%; 136/439). Hyalomma species had the least percentage infestation, with Hyalomma truncatum having (18.5%; 81/439) infestation. Hyalomma impeltatum had (1.8%; 8/439) and Hyalomma rufipes had (0.9%; 4/439) infestation. The infestation of ticks in Bomo village was highest at 176 (40.1%) compared to Zangon Shanu at 167 (38.0%) and Angwan Fulani at 96 (21.9%). Tick infestation has serious medical and economic implications because of their tendency to inflict pathological effects on the cattle. Attention should therefore be given to prevention and control of ticks, since they affect the general health of the animal, thereby causing serious production and economic losses