Study on Assessment of Tick Infestation on Cattle in Selected Sites of Fedis District, Eastern Ethiopia

Background: Tick infestation is the major problems for animal health that causes loss of animal production and economy at individual and country level. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with tick infestation, and to identify genera of ixodid tick in cattle in the study area. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 cattle using simple Randal sampling techniques to address the objective of the study. Results: Out of 384 cattle tested, 290(75.50%) were found to be positive for tick infestation. The prevalence of tick infestation among sex, age, and body condition was statistically significant (x2 =35.56, p=0.0000, x2=46.72, p=0.0000, and x2=20.96, p=0.0000), respectively. A total of 1920 adult ticks were collected and 2 genera were identified from the study areas. The prevalence of each genera was Amblyomma (63.90%) and Rhipicephalus (36.10%). Conclusion: The present study shows high prevalence of tick infestation which still causing health problem of cattle in the study area. Therefore, the outcomes of this study will be useful in the planning of integrated control strategies in tick infestation and as base line data for future studies in the area.