Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted on selected camel herds of Borana lowland, southern Ethiopia. From a total of 560 camels examined, 97.7 and 25.9% were found infested with ticks of various species and Sarcoptes species. A total of 4636 adult tick species were collected from half-body regions of selected camels. The tick species identified and their relative abundance were as follows: Rhipicephalus pulchellus(69.6%), Amblyomma gemma (12.4), Hyalomma dromedarii (10.8%), Boophilus decoloratus (4.2%), Amblyomma variegatum (2.6%) and Amblyomma lepidum(0.4%). Sarcoptes species was the only mange mites observed during this study in Borana lowland. The overall half-body region observed mean tick burden was 48.4 ticks/camel. The total half-body regions mean tick burden was significantly higher in young males (1 to 3 years of age) with poor body conditions, large herd size (greater than 40 camels) and IN wet season. Also mixing camels with sheep and goats, and cattle significantly affect the mean half-body tick burden of camels. However, the impact of ticks and mange mites on host camel and the environment was not measured during this study; it was concluded that the number and species of infesting ticks and mange mites encountered were significant enough to pose a potential health hazard. Further research work on the seasonal pattern, biology and vector role for the ticks should be carried out in Borana lowland.

Key words: Ticks, risk factors, Boran, Ethiopia.