Prevalence, Burden, Distribution and Risk Factors of Bovine Tick Infestation in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa, tick infestation significantly reduces livestock productivity, but there is still a dearth of localized epidemiological and ecological data. Tick prevalence, species diversity, and host-risk factors were assessed in this cross-sectional study of cattle in Bakori Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. A total of 394 systematically sampled cattle from five administrative wards underwent whole-body examinations, and recovered ticks were identified using standard taxonomic keys. The overall prevalence of infestation was 28.93% (114/394). Seven different tick species were identified. The invasive Rhipicephalus microplus (24.48%) was the most prevalent, followed by Amblyomma variegatum (20.30%), Amblyomma hebraeum (17.31%), Hyalomma rufipes (15.52%), Hyalomma truncatum (14.93%), Hyalomma dromedarii (5.37%), and Rhipicephalus decolouratus (2.09%). By ward, the spatial distribution differed significantly (χ² = 205.18, p < 0.05). Bakori B was found to be the most ecologically stable habitat by ecological diversity indices, while Barde-Kwantakwaram showed significant single-species dominance. The most heavily infested anatomical site was the trunk (37.01%). Breed, sex, and coat colour did not significantly correlate with infestation rates (p > 0.05), but poor herd hygiene (p = 0.04) and younger host age (p = 0.0048) did. These results highlight how herd management, spatial heterogeneity, and the dynamics of invasive species influence tick burdens in Bakori. To reduce financial losses, customized, ward-specific integrated tick management strategies are desperately needed.