Abstract

As in other West African countries, ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting domestic ruminants are a major constraint for livestock breeders in Burkina Faso. The present epidemiological survey study was conducted from October 2022 to September 2023 in two pastoral areas of the Hauts-Bassins region of Burkina Faso to inventory the tick genera and species present, and determine the prevalence and associated risk factors in infested ruminants, including host sex, age, and season. A total of 8,274 live ticks were collected from 800 ruminants randomly selected (300 cattle, 300 sheep, and 200 goats) across two pastoral zones (Sidéradougou and Saho pastoral zones) and three seasons (cold dry season, hot dry season, and rainy season) from the herds of 140 livestock farmers surveyed. Morphological identification identified six species within the genera Amblyomma (67.32%), Hyalomma (26.35%), and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus, 6.33%), with Amblyomma variegatum as the dominant species. The overall prevalence of tick infestation was 74.90%, including 37.25% in cattle, 23.50% in sheep, and 14.15% in goats, with an average infestation level of 10.34 ± 20.30 ticks per animal. Male ruminants (52.62%) were more infested than females (47.38%), and juveniles (41.37%) were more infested than adults (58.63%). Seasonal patterns revealed peak infestation during the rainy and cold dry seasons in both Pastoral zones, and ticks showed a predilection for the inguinal and pastern regions. These findings highlight the extensive tick burden in Hauts-Bassins region, Burkina Faso’s pastoral systems, and underscore the need for targeted, season- and host-specific control strategies to mitigate tick-borne disease risks and improve livestock productivity.