Distribution and abundance of ticks infesting livestock population along Karakorum highway from Mansehra to Gilgit, Pakistan

• DOI: 10.12681/jhvms.15556
• Publication Date: 2018-02-01T07:09:09Z
• Authors: MUHAMMAD SOHAIL S...; ZAFAR IQBAL; ASIM SHAMIM; RAO MUHAMMAD SIDD...; MUHAMMAD JAWAD UL...; HAFIZ MUHAMMAD RI...
• Keywords: Hyalomma; Rhipicephalus; Tick infestation; Animal Husbandry

Ticks and tick-borne infections pose major economic threats to the livestock industry throughout world. The present study reports point prevalence of ticks in free range population plain hilly areas Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Mansehra, Haripur, Shangala, Kohistan), Gilgit Baltistan (Diamer, Gilgit, Astor) along Karakoram highway. Through convenient snowball sampling techniques, a total 813 animals, consisting 232 sheep, 163 cattle, 365 goats 53 buffaloes were screened for their tick burden. During study, two species identified Hyalomma anatolicum Rhipicephalus microplus. overall infestation among was 75.03%, with highest distribution sheep (81.47%) followed, order, by cattle (77.91%), (72.05%) buffalo (58.49%). district-wise Haripur (85.58), (83.10%), Mansehra (81.14%), Batagram (81.05%), Shangala (77.78%), Kohistan (75.38%), Diamer (72.28%) Astor (32.22%). found be higher (85.67%) younger than adults (66.44%), females (80.33%) males (66.44%). provides first report altitudes northern Pakistan confirms presence plains, as well geoclimates Pakistan. Furthermore, data on risk factors allows us make recommendations restructure existing husbandry system aim reducing burden livestock.