Survey on Tick Prevalence in High and Low Altitude of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh (India)

Globally, tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are becoming a bigger threat to both human and animal health. To lower the risk of TBDs, a number of strategies have been used, such as the use of compounds with repellent and parasiticidal activity, habitat management, genetic selection of hosts with increased resistance to ticks, and vaccines. A survey was conducted in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh to collect data on tick management methods at varying altitudes. The questionnaire-based study involved 160 participants from four high altitude and three low altitude livestock owners, and the impact of tick infestation on livestock health and productivity was studied. Various tick control methods such as injection, biological agents, dipping, spraying, and ecological approaches were reported with injections being the most favoured due to affordability. Traditional practices like using fresh ash, mustard seeds, and reetha were also reported. Respondents associated tick infestation with climatic conditions, indicating that temperature and humidity significantly influenced tick populations and their effect on livestock. The survey also highlighted the diverse methods and beliefs regarding tick management across different altitudes and among different stakeholders in the area. The current survey provides comprehensive insights into the practices, perceptions, and challenges related to the tick management in the Kangra district, catering to both scientific and traditional approaches to mitigating tick infestation among livestock.