Authors

Discussion

Background: Ticks on cattle continue to be a problem in the Nigerian livestock industry as transhumance has aided the introduction of new tick species via cross-boundary movement into regions where they were absent. These ticks act as carriers of pathogens like Anaplasma, Babesia, and Theileria with veterinary and economic importance. To develop effective control strategies, it is crucial to understand the distribution and factors influencing tick populations and cattle providence through epidemiological studies. This research aimed to assess tick diversity and cattle provenance in Benue State.

Methods: This study focused on a tick survey using simple tools (compound and dissecting microscope) along with identification keys, three hundred and ten (310) questionnaires were used to understand the provenance of the cattle in the study area to highlight the first step in understanding the tick-borne pathogen transmission pathways and disease epidemiology. Tick samples were collected from 281 cattle (1st survey) from January to February 2022, and 310 cattle (2nd survey) from August to September 2023.

Results: A total of 185 cattle from the 1st survey were found to be infested with ticks. 658 ticks were recovered and identified from these animals and were found to belong to eight species, belonging to three (3) genera, Hyalomma, Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus including subgenus Boophilus. Hyalomma impeltatum (27.5%) was the most encountered tick but Amblyomma variegatum (24.8%), R. (B) geigyi (23.7%) and R. (Boophilus) microplus (17.3%) were also frequently found. Hyalomma truncatum (5.0%), Rhipicephalus turanicus (0.6%), R. (Boophilus) decoloratus (0.9%) and Hyalomma rufipes (0.2%) were rarely encountered. 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. Rhipicephalus turanicus and R. (B) geigyi ticks not associated with the study area in past years were identified. The number of ticks per animal ranged between 1 to 15, with a median of 7. Ticks collected in the 2nd survey are yet to be identified but questionnaires (310) completed by stakeholders in the local livestock industry in Benue State indicate that most cattle in Benue were reared outside the state in locations further northern, either in Nigeria or in neighbouring Cameroon. Typically cattle only remain in Benue for less than a month before being slaughtered or moved further south.

Conclusion: The presence of the diversity and dynamics in ticks and cattle markets underscores the need for proper monitoring and surveillance of ticks on cattle and the potential pathogens they transmit because they are of veterinary and public health importance.