Preliminary survey on the distribution of Ixodid ticks in domestic ruminants and vegetation of Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, South India.

Abstract

Background objectives: Tick borne diseases (TBD) are becoming a major public and animal health problem in the Kerala. Recently, during 2021 - 2022, a new focus of tick nuisance and associated fever has been reported in some villages of Pathanamthitta district.

Methods: The study on the diversity of tick fauna in Southern Kerala is limited. Therefore, a preliminary survey was carried out for the first time in this focus for implementation of future tick borne pathogen detection and control measures. This research may provide a proper understanding of tick density and acarological risk by tick ecology through surveillance and identification. A cross sectional study was conducted during the summer season of 2021 and 2022 in the tick bite infected area - Naduvathumoozhy, Vayakkara, Malayalappuzha and Pallikuzhi.

Results: Ticks were manually collected from ruminants and by dragging method from vegetation. A total of 727 ticks of 8 different species were collected from the genus Amblyomma, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus. The most prevalent species were H. bispinosa and H.turturis, at 38.7% and 29.1%, respectively. Ticks were sampled from 197 animals with the proportion of infestation being 73.60%. It was highest in goats (85.9%), followed by buffalo (73.6%) and cow (65.4%).

Interpretation conclusion: The study concludes that, despite the absence of any TBD outbreaks, the Pathanamthitta district has a high diversity of tick fauna and a high rate of tick infestation in domestic ruminants, especially in goats. Hence active tick surveillance is necessary in order to prevent TBD outbreaks in future; the study also emphasizes the importance of performing tick surveillance in both KFD endemic and non-endemic regions.