Endemic ixodid tick infestation on buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in east Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Ticks are one of the important vectors of zoonoses and are major constraint to livestock farming. The present study was carried at East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India, during October 2016 to May 2017 to determine the prevalence of tick infestation on buffaloes. Examination of ticks collected from 420 buffaloes of house hold, organised and unorganised dairy farms from different villages of district revealed 29.52% of tick infestation in the study area. Exclusively Haemaphysalis species was identified by processing of ticks in 10% KOH solution by standard parasitological technique. Among different age groups the higher rate of prevalence (10.24%) was noticed in ≤6 months followed by 8.09% in 6 months to 1 year, 5.48% in 1 to 2 years and 5.71% in ≥2 years of age group animals. Statistically there was a significant diference (x² =16.97, P=0.0007) between the age groups with respect to prevalence of ticks in buffaloes. Subsequently animals were treated with two subcutaneous injections of ivermectin at 200 μg kg^-1 four days apart. Farther owners were also advised spraying of animal sheds and its surroundings with Amitraz 12.5% emulsifiable concentration. The results of the present study is suggestive of the poor animal husbandry practices pursued by the farmers of the study area which are to be addressed by following appropriate control strategies considering the epidemiology of ticks.