SPATIO-TEMPORAL PATTERNS AND RISK ASSESSMENT OF IXODID TICKS IN CATTLE OF MID HILL ZONE OF NORTH - WESTERN HIMALAYAS

Abstract

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to study the distribution of ixodid ticks along with associated risk factor assessment in cattle (n=749) in the mid-hill zone of Himachal Pradesh in the northwestern Himalayas, India. The results revealed an overall tick prevalence rate of 68.6% with three tick-predominant species, viz. Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (64.6%), R. (B.) annulatus (32.9%) and Hyalomma anatolicum (2.5%). Among the various risk factors evaluated, significant (p<0.05) variation was recorded with age, sex, and season. Ticks were most prevalent in the rainy season (76.2%) [OR = 3.10 (1.71–5.61)] followed by summer (65.1%) and winter season (63.9%). High prevalence was recorded in animals > 1 year age (78.9%) followed by > 6 months - 1 year age (44.1%) [OR = 0.17 (0.09–0.33)] and young animals ≤ 6 months (25.6%) [OR = 0.16 (0.09–0.26)] (p<0.05). The tick infestation was significantly higher in female animals (76.5%) as compared to males (29%) and more in crossbred cattle (79.6%) [OR = 4.90 (3.19–7.52)] compared to the indigenous cattle (45.7%) (p<0.05). The study on management practices revealed that the prevalence of ticks was significantly (p<0.05) high when the animals were kept in kutcha sheds (85.2%). The regression analysis revealed that the odd tick infestation was higher if acaricide was sprayed only in sheds [OR = 2.93 (1.49–5.76)] rather than on both sheds and animals [OR = 1.60 (0.69–3.70)]. The present study assumes importance in the strategic control and management of ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs) of the cattle population in the region.