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

Background & objectives: Tick-bome diseases (TBD) are becoming a major public and animal health problem in Kerala state of India. During 2021-2022, a new focus of tick nuisance and associated fever has been reported in some villages of Pathanamthitta district of the state. 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 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 areas of 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 Haemaphysalis 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: Despite the absence of any TBD outbreaks, Pathanamthitta district has a high diversity of tick fauna and a high rate of tick infestation in domestic ruminants, especially goats. Hence, active tick surveillance is necessary in order to prevent TBD outbreaks in the future. The study also emphasizes the importance of performing tick surveillance in both Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) endemic and non-endemic regions.