# Prevalence and Abundance of Ixodid Ticks in Domestic Mammals in Villages at the Forest Fringes of the Western Ghats, India

## TL;DR

This study surveyed ticks on domestic animals in the Western Ghats, India, to understand their role in spreading Kyasanur Forest Disease, a zoonotic illness.

## Contribution

The first documented occurrence of Ixodes ceylonensis in domestic animals and detailed tick prevalence data in the Western Ghats.

## Key findings

- Tick prevalence was 44.91% across 2877 domestic animals, with sheep showing the highest prevalence.
- Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus was the most abundant tick species, while Haemaphysalis intermedia had the highest mean intensity.
- Ixodes ceylonensis was first recorded in domestic animals, and Haemaphysalis spinigera, a KFD vector, was found with low abundance.

## Abstract

Our study presents a comprehensive survey of tick populations infesting domestic mammals across the Western Ghats, a region with significant ecological diversity. This research includes a focus on tick species known to be involved in the transmission cycle of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), a zoonotic disease that has expanded geographically in parts of India over recent decades. Through an extensive examination of 2877 domestic animals in selected localities of the Western Ghats, we report data on tick species prevalence, mean abundance, and mean intensity. Notably, we provide the first documented occurrence of Ixodes ceylonensis in domestic animals. The presence and distribution of medically important species such as Haemaphysalis spinigera are also discussed in the context of their potential vector roles. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of tick species ecology and host associations in this understudied region and provide a valuable baseline for future tick surveillance efforts in domestic animals.

Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), first reported in 1957 in the Shimoga district of Karnataka, India, has spread significantly over the past two decades, reaching both northern and southern states, with reports of monkey deaths. Haemaphysalis spp. ticks are the primary vectors, transmitting the disease to monkeys, humans, and other mammals. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, mean abundance, and mean intensity of Ixodidae ticks, including the KFD vector, in domestic animals across selected localities of the Western Ghats. A total of 2877 domestic animals were surveyed, revealing an overall tick prevalence of 44.91% (CI: 43.10–46.73), with sheep showing the highest prevalence at 47.92% (CI: 40.96–54.95). The most abundant tick species was Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, with a mean of 2.53 ± 0.66 ticks per host, which also represented the most proportionally dominant species, accounting for 39.63% of the total ticks collected. The highest mean intensity was recorded for Haemaphysalis intermedia (7.35 ± 2.03 ticks per infested animal). Regionally, Rh. (Bo.) microplus was found in 96.15% of buffaloes examined in Tamil Nadu, Haemaphysalis bispinosa in 85.19% of cattle in Maharashtra, and in 98.46% of goats in Goa. Ha. intermedia was common in 99.11% of sheep examined in Karnataka, while Ha. bispinosa was observed in 90.82% of goats in Kerala. The proportional representation of the KFD vector Haemaphysalis spinigera was 0.97%, with a mean intensity of 2.34 ± 0.04 ticks per infested animal and an overall mean abundance of 0.06 ± 0.01 ticks per host. Adult Ha. spinigera were recorded from cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and dogs; however, no nymphs were detected. This study also reports the first documented occurrence of Ixodes ceylonensis in domestic animals. These findings suggest a notable presence of tick infestations in the region and emphasize the importance of continued surveillance and targeted control measures to better understand and manage potential KFD transmission risks in the Western Ghats.