Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted from October, 2013 to March, 2014 in and around Sebeta town to identify different tick species infesting cattle, determine the prevalence and assess the risk factors for infestation. Adult ticks were collected from purposively selected 384 cattle and identified to the species level. Host related risk factors such as age, sex and body conditions were also collected. A total of 1,449 adult ticks were collected from different animal body parts. Seven tick species from three genera were identified. Two species each belonged to the genus Ambylomma and Hyalomma and three species belonged to Rhipicephalus. The tick species identified were Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (53.4%; 95% CI: 50.6-55.7), Ambylomma variegatum (22.5%; 95% CI:  20.7-25.1), Rhipicephalus decoloratus (10.7%; 95% CI: 9.2-12.4), Hyalomma truncatum (8.6%; 95% CI: 7.2-10.1), Ambylomma cohaerence (2.4%; 95% CI: 1.6-3.3), Rhipicephalus preaxtatus (1.5%; 95%CI: 0.95-2.3) and Hyalomma marginatum rufipes (0.8%; 95% CI: 0.4-1.4). Higher infestation of tick was recorded in male animals as compared to female. However, the variation in prevalence between age, body condition and sex was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). A higher male to female sex ratio of the different tick species was identified in this study. Majority of Ambylomma species were collected from the scrotum area and Rhipicephalus in the ano-vulvar area. Brisket and scrotum were the main sites of attachment for Hyalomma species. Thus, hand spraying of acaricide should target these identified predilection sites. In addition, we recommend further study to assess the ecological, managemental and host related factors influencing tick infestation, thereby appropriated control measure should be put in place.

Key words: Sebeta, cattle, ixodid tick, prevalence, species identification.