Identification et Ecologie des Tiques Infestant les Bovins et les Ovins dans les Ecosystèmes de Savane et de Forêt à l’Ouest de la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC)

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ABSTRACT
Identification and ecology of tick infesting cattles and sheeps in savannahs and Forest
ecosystems in western Democratic Republic of Congo
An investigation was conducted in two ecosystems (savannas and forests) in western DRC to identify tick
species circulating in cattle and sheep in order to update tick mapping in this part of the country, to assess their
abundance and the risks they can cause on these animals, in order to propose a control program adapted to local
conditions. These investigations were conducted at the Batéké Plateau (Savannah Zone) and the Mushie Ranch
(Forest Zone) for six months, from November 2012 to April 2013. Out of 938 ticks harvested, three types were
recorded using identification keys; they are Amblyomma sp (89.1%), Rhipicephalus sp (10.5%) and Hyalomma sp
(0.4%). A strong predominance of Amblyomma variegatum was observed in both ecosystems. Thus, the three
genera identified were present at the Batéké Plateau, whereas only one genus (Amblyomma) was found in Mushie
and on animals, most ticks were collected on the ventro-genital part (75%). These results could already be a breach
for updating tick mapping in western DRC.
Good breeding behavior and weekly application of acaricides on animals in the form of bathing or
spraying are solutions considered in the first line in the fight against ticks.
1Direction de production et de la Santé Animales, Ministère de l’Agriculture, Pêche et Elevage, Kinshasa/Gombe, République Démocratique
du Congo.
2Centre Interdisciplinaire de Gestion du Risque Sanitaire, Kinshasa/ République Démocratique du Congo.
3Laboratoire Vétérinaire de Kinshasa, B.P. 8842, Kinshasa I, République Démocratique du Congo.
4Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université Pédagogique Nationale, B.P. 8815, Kinshasa I, République Démocratique du Congo.
5Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, B.P. 1197 Kinshasa I, République Démocratique du Congo.
6Institut Supérieur de Statistique de Kinshasa, B.P. 1757 Kinshasa I, République Démocratique du Congo