Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess and outline the prevalence of tick infestation among cattle and sheep in Herat, Afghanistan, utilizing accurate identification and classification methods for tick species.
Materials and Methods: A total of 620 animals (315 cattle and 305 sheep) in six villages of the Injil district underwent examination for tick presence, with approximately 450 ticks collected for species identification.
Results: The ticks found on cattle and sheep belonged predominantly to two genera: Hyalomma (98.6% in cattle, 1.4% in sheep) and Rhipicephalus (1.4%). Among cattle, five Hyalomma species were identified, notably Hyalomma anatolicum (36.60%), Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum (36.16%), Hyalomma marginatum (15.65%), Hyalomma rufipes (6.69%), and Hyalomma detritum (4.90%). Similarly, in sheep, four Hyalomma species were observed, including H. anatolicum (33.3%), H. anatolicum excavatum (31.1%), H. marginatum (20%), and H. rufipes (15.60%).
Conclusion: This study confirms the presence of Hyalomma ticks among both cattle and sheep in Herat province, underscoring the escalated risk of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever dissemination. These findings advocate for tailored strategies in tick control and educational initiatives to effectively address this critical concern.

Key words: Prevalence; cattle; sheep; tick; CCHF; Herat