Unravelling the Epidemiology of Ticks and Tick-borne Infections in Benue State, Nigeria

Ada, Raymond

Abstract

Tick infestation poses a major challenge to the Nigerian livestock industry, as ticks act as carriers of pathogens with veterinary and economic importance, such as Anaplasma, Babesia, and Theileria species. To develop effective control strategies, it is crucial to understand the distribution and factors influencing tick populations through epidemiological studies. This research aimed to assess tick diversity in Benue cattle, with a total of 218 cattle surveyed, out of which 185 were infested. All identified ticks were adult ticks and categorized based on their morphology. A total of 658 ticks were identified, representing eight species. The most prevalent species was Hyalomma impeltatum (27.5%), while Hyalomma rufipes (0.2%) was the least abundant. Other species included Amblyomma variegatum (24.8%), Rhipicephalus geigyi (23.7%), Rhipicephalus microplus (17.3%), Hyalomma truncatum (5.0%), Rhipicephalus turanicus (0.6%), and Rhipicephalus decoloratus (0.9%). The observed tick diversity aligns with previous studies in Nigeria, indicating a dominance of three genera: Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus. However, the significant presence of Hyalomma ticks in this study suggests a shift in tick diversity within the North Central region, possibly due to climate variability, including higher temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns. The movement of cattle and humans across borders has introduced new tick species into Benue, as evident from the identification of previously unreported ticks. The presence of these ticks highlights a substantial veterinary problem with significant health and economic implications for both cattle and humans. Consequently, this study underscores the importance of adequate animal healthcare to enhance cattle health and production performance.

• Online Publication Date: Jul 23, 2023
• Publication Date: Jul 23, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jan 23, 2025
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.17866/rd.salford.23608284.v1
• Publisher URL: https://salford.figshare.com/articles/poster/Unravelling_the_Epidemiology_of_Ticks_and_Tick-borne_Infections_in_Benue_State_Nigeria/23608284
• Collection Date: Jul 23, 2023