A survey of ticks and East Coast fever among cattle in Fangak County, Jonglei State, South Sudan

This study was carried out in Fangak County, Jonglei State, South Sudan, with aim to identify the main ticks species and follow north limit of the theileriosis in Jonglei. Three localities namely; Hai, Toggar and Bichoul kun village in Phoum payam were selected as suspected area for East Coast fever (ECF), Group A) and Kuer kan in Manjang payams were selected as non suspected area for ECF (Group B). These groups A and B were based on animal movement, trade businessand intermarriages (animals paid for dowry). A total of 120 sera were collected from cattle of different age groups. The serum samples were tested using indirect polymorphic immunodominant molecule (PIM) ELISA to detect Theileria parva antibodies. The results indicated that 5/44 (11.4%) samples from non suspected area (group B) and 48/76 (63.2%) samples from suspected area (Group A) revealed antibodies. The overall positivity was 53/120 (44.17%) which was highly significant (P < 0.001) according to the locations. Three tick genera were recorded, Amblyomma, Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus. The species were A. variegatum, A. lepidum, H. rufipes, R. (B.) decoloratus, R. (B.) annulatus, R. e. evertsi and R. sanguineus. The most abundant tick species was A. variegatum, constituting 62%, while the lowest tick recorded was R. e. evertsi with prevalence rate of 2%. No R. appendiculatus tick was seen in Fangak area; while T. parva antibodies were detected. Regarding the fact that T. parva antibodies were present in the area with 44.17% prevalence, more efforts are needed to determine the extension of ECF and its vector R. appendiculatus to the northern parts of Jonglei State and this result of ECF antibodies could be an alarm to migrate cattle owners from South Sudan.