Abstract:
This study focused on cattle markets with purpose of finding out the potentlal in the spread of ticks, tick borne diseases and tick acaricide resistance. They involved Arapai, Kasilo and Bukedea region in Teso region. The study involved 48 respondents who were selected randomly. There were no animals sampled whose data was recorded on data collection sheet. Technical personnel were involved with whom questionnaires Were administered, and observations were done at the premises.
Analysis was done using both in Microsoft excel and SPSS version 20, Chicago. Tick abundance was calculated by getting the total of ticks in all the animals and divided by the total number of animals in each of the market
The results revealed the common origins districts of animals were (13.5%) Soroti (6.2%)Ngora and (61%) Bukedea. The common destinations of animals were to lira (31.4%), Kampala (22.2:9%), Pallisa (20.9%) South Sudan (8.6%), Gulu (2.9%). From the study, most of the respondents; were fanners (7·5%) and the rest (25%) were traders. Most of the animals were moved specifically for breeding (42.8%), slaughter (28.5%), sale (17.1%) and draft power.
The results revealed that Amblyomma was most highly loaded tick amongst animals in cattle markets (30 ticks per animal), Rhipicephalus, appetidiculatus (18 ticks per animal) and lastly Rhipicephalus decoloratus (12 ticks per animal) It was also noticed that ticks were most thighly loaded amongst cattle in Arapai (37%), Bukedea (32%) and. lastly Kasilo (31%).
From the study, the risk factors that led to the spread of a high ticks, TBDs and tick acaricide resistance included inadequate advice given to the traders and farmers in the cattle market farmers and traders ignorance about the ticks arid their dangers (80%), use of weak class of acaricides (69%), environments around cattle markets, wrong dilution of acaricides (66.7%)
In conclusion, there is a great potential of Arapai, Kasilo and Bukedea cattle markets to spread of tick TBDs and acaricide resistant ticks. Recommendations are; Tick control measures should be put in place at every cattle market, qualified personnel have to be employed and research regarding relation of tick load and diseases should be carried out in cattle markets.
