Diagnostic study of Hyalomma ticks species parasitic on cows, buffaloes and camels in Dhi Qar governorate/ Iraq
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Abstract
Ticks rank second after mosquitoes as carriers of diseases that affect humans and animals, the most important of which are the Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) virus in humans, and Theileria annulata in animals.
This study identified five species of ticks of the genus Hyalomma in some areas of Dhi Qar governorate in southern Iraq, which is characterized by the presence of large areas of marshes in which migratory birds abound, which may be the cause of the transmission of these species of ticks and thus the transmission of CCHF that has spread in this province. In the last years
Samples were collected from 100 cows, 80 buffaloes and 40 camels infected with Hyalomma. Three species were recorded in cattle: H. anatolicum (65%), H. excavatum (43%) and H. scupense (10%), and two species in buffalo: H. impeltatum and H. rufipes by 62.5% and 41.25%, respectively. In camels, H. anatolicum (80%) and H. impeltatum (47.5%) were recorded. It was also found that H. anatolicum infects both cattle and camels (mixed infestations), while H. impeltatum is shared between buffalo and camels.