Prevalence, seasonal distribution, and diversity of tick species in Bié Province, Angola

Edmárcia Rosário; Fernando Sequeira; Luís Cardoso; Dora Aguin-Pombo; Ana Patrícia Lopes

doi:10.3855/jidc.21213

Prevalence, seasonal distribution, and diversity of tick species in Bié Province, Angola

Authors

Edmárcia Rosário CIBIO, Center for Biodiversity and Genetic Resources Research, InBIO Associated Laboratory, BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity, and Land Planning, Vairao Campus, University of Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4986-5894
Fernando Sequeira CIBIO, Center for Biodiversity and Genetic Resources Research, InBIO Associated Laboratory, BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity, and Land Planning, Vairao Campus, University of Porto, Portugal
Luís Cardoso Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
Dora Aguin-Pombo Faculty of Life Sciences (FCV), University of Madeira (UMa), Funchal, Portugal
Ana Patrícia Lopes Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8182-5674

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.21213

Keywords:

Angola, cattle, Ixodidae, morphology, prevalence

Abstract

Introduction: Livestock is vital to Angola’s economy, with cattle farming being especially important in Bié Province. Productivity is hampered by tick (Ixodida: Ixodidae) infestation, causing damage and potential transmission of pathogens. Despite known tick diversity in Angola, recent data for Bié Province are lacking.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to August 2024 in Bié Province across 11 localities, covering commercial and family-based cattle systems. Systematic random sampling was used to examine 686 cattle for ticks during early dry and rainy seasons. Ticks were collected from 7 anatomical regions and morphologically identified; the data were analyzed for seasonal variation, spatial distribution, and gender ratio.

Results: A total of 3,136 adult ticks were collected from 686 cattle (30.3% infestation rate). Ten species across 3 genera were identified, namely Rhipicephalus, Amblyomma, and Hyalomma. Rhipicephalus evertsi mimeticus was the most prevalent (27.9%), followed by R. evertsi evertsi (13.2%), R. (Boophilus) decoloratus (13.1%), and Amblyomma variegatum (12.3%). Tick abundance was quite similar between seasons, and females predominated (51.1%). Infestation varies by commune.

Conclusions: The findings reveal substantial tick diversity in Bié Province and confirm ongoing exposure of cattle to multiple species.

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Published

2025-10-31

How to Cite

Rosário E, Sequeira F, Cardoso L, Aguin-Pombo D, Patrícia Lopes A (2025) Prevalence, seasonal distribution, and diversity of tick species in Bié Province, Angola. J Infect Dev Ctries 19:1550–1559. doi: 10.3855/jidc.21213

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Issue

Vol. 19 No. 10: October 2025

Section

Original Articles

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