ఎంటమాలజీ, ఆర్నిథాలజీ & హెర్పెటాలజీ: కరెంట్ రీసెర్చ్
అందరికి ప్రవేశం

నైరూప్య

Epidemiological and Therapeutics Studies on Tick Species of Small Ruminants in Hargelle District, Afder Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia

Yonas Gizaw Habtemichael, Ayalew Nigussie Alemu, Abdurezak Aliyii Adem, Behailu Amde Felek

Background: Tick infestations are the major causes of skin diseases and economically important parasitic diseases which hampers small ruminant production. The present study was conducted with aim of estimating prevalence of tick infestation, identifying common tick species and comparing acaricidal efficacy of commonly used acaricides in small ruminants in Hargele district of Somali region, Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross sectional and controlled field trial were carried out from July 2016 to May 2017 to study the epidemiology of tick infestation and evaluating the comparative efficacy of the three commonly utilized acaricides (diazinon, amitraz and ivermectin).

Result: The overall prevalence rate of tick infestation in small ruminants was 83.2% and species and body condition showed significant difference in the prevalence rate (p<0.05). In this study, Rhipicephalus was the most abundant (61.3%) and the most widely distributed genus whereas, Hayaloma was the least prevalent (17.1%) tick genus. R. pulchellus was the most abundant species followed by R. evertsievertsi, and R. (B.) decoloratus. Ivermectin- amitraz combination showed significant superiority (p<0.05) in relation to reducing mean tick count as compared to ivermectin alone and ivermectin-diazinon combination. Ivermectin-amitraz combination was able to eliminate almost all ticks from the body of infested goats 3-day post treatment with 100% efficacy.

Conclusion: The study revealed the high prevalence of tick infestation causing serious problem in small ruminant production in the study area. Therefore, attention should be given to the control of tick infestation in the region using effective therapeutic regimes and prevention strategies.