<!DOCTYPE html>
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
	<head>
		<meta charset="utf-8" />
		<title>AAVS_MH20150513070538_ Sultana et al</title>
		<link href="http://nexusacademicpublishers.com/uploads/cssfiles/AAVS_MH20150513070538_ Sultana et al.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
	</head>
    <style> 
.pt{
	background-color:#BDF;
	border-top-style:solid;
	
	border-top-color:#d3d1d1;
	border-top-width: 1px;
	border-bottom-style: solid;
	
	border-bottom-color:#d3d1d1;
	border-bottom-width: 1px;
	height:90px;
	}
	  
.img_display{
	float:left;
	padding:5px;
	
	}
	.img_text{ padding:10px;
		
		}
		
		.Txt_Dis{
			padding-right:20px;
			}
</style>

<body id="AAVS_MH20150513070538_-Sultana-et-al" xml:lang="en-GB">
		<div class="Basic-Text-Frame">
			<p class="Type-of-Article">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Type-of-Article">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Type-of-Article">Research Article</p>
			<p class="Type-of-Article">&nbsp;</p>
    </div>
       <!-- Start CrossMark Snippet v1.5 -->
<meta name="dc.identifier" content="doi:10.14737/journal.aavs/2015/3.8.430.434">
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://smithandfranklin.com/js/jquery.min.js" ></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://smithandfranklin.com/js/jquery-ui.min.js" ></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://crossmark.crossref.org/javascripts/v1.5/crossmark.min.js"></script>
              <a id="open-crossmark" href="javascript:" style="padding: 3px 0 13px 0; float:right;"><img style="border: 0; display: none;" id="crossmark-icon" src="https://crossmark.crossref.org/images/crossmark_button.png" /></a>
              <div id="crossmark-dialog"  title="">
              <!-- the external CrossMark data is loaded inside this iframe -->
              <iframe id="crossmark-dialog-frame" frameborder="0"></iframe>
              </div>
			<!-- End CrossMark Snippet -->

<div class="Basic-Text-Frame">
			<p class="title- ParaOverride-1">First Pilot Study on the Prevalence of  Tick Infestation in Livestock of Tehsil Hajira, Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir</p>
		</div>
		<div class="Basic-Text-Frame">
			<p class="Authors ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Authors ParaOverride-1"><span class="CharOverride-1">Nizhat Sultana</span><span class="CharOverride-2">1</span><span class="CharOverride-1">, Asim Shamim</span><span class="CharOverride-2">2*</span><span class="CharOverride-1">, Muhammad Siddique Awan</span><span class="CharOverride-2">1</span><span class="CharOverride-1">, Usman Ali</span><span class="CharOverride-2">3</span><span class="CharOverride-1">, Murtaz Ul Hassan</span><span class="CharOverride-2">4</span><span class="CharOverride-1">, Rao Muhammad Siddique</span><span class="CharOverride-2">5</span></p>
		</div>
		<div class="Basic-Text-Frame">
			<p class="Affiliations ParaOverride-1"><span class="CharOverride-3">1</span>Department of Zoology, University of Azad Kashmir; <span class="CharOverride-3">2</span>Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal sciences, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir; <span class="CharOverride-3">3</span>Department of Zoology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology Azad Kashmir;<span class="CharOverride-3"> 4</span>Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, UAAR; <span class="CharOverride-3">5</span>Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan.</p>
		</div>
		<div>
			<p class="Abstract">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Abstract"><span class="CharOverride-4">Abstract</span> | Ticks (Acari: ixodid) are blood imbibing ecto-parasite of wide range of animals. Ticks and tick-borne infections impose major economic threats to the livestock industry throughout the world. The present study reports prevalence of tick in livestock population of Tehsil Hajira of District Rawalakot Azad Kashmir. Through random sampling technique, a total of 1350 animals were scrutinized for tick infestation in 6 villages with an average 225 animals per village from Tehsil Hajira, Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir. The study was piloted from June 2011 to November 2011. The performa was designed to collect the information on routine managemental practices, and customs to be performed by the farmers to their animals. The data were analysed statistically by SAS 2010. The dominant specie of ticks <span class="CharOverride-5" xml:lang="en-US">Hylomma anatolicum anatolicum</span> was observed on all four species of livestock includes: Cattles (55.45%), Buffaloes (51.03%), Sheep (54.66%) and Goats (48.00%) with an overall prevalence of 51.25% in the study area. The month wise high prevalence observed during the June and July and lower prevalence during the month of November. Sex wise male and age wise young animals were found more infested compared to female and adult animals. It is the first report on tick prevalence from Azad Kashmir. There is a need of improvement and awareness regarding currently practiced tick control measures. </p>
		  <p class="Abstract">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Abstract ParaOverride-1"><span class="CharOverride-4">Keywords</span> | Tick, Prevalence, <span class="CharOverride-5">Hylomma anatolicum</span>, Livestock, Azad Kashmir</p>
		  <p class="Abstract ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
		</div>
		<div class="Basic-Text-Frame">
			<p class="Editor----Citation"><span class="CharOverride-4">Editor</span> | Kuldeep Dhama, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Uttar Pradesh, India.</p>
			<p class="Editor----Citation"><span class="CharOverride-4">Received</span> | May 13, 2015; <span class="CharOverride-4">Revised</span> | June 21, 2015; <span class="CharOverride-4">Accepted</span> | June 23, 2015; <span class="CharOverride-4">Published</span> | June 27, 2015&#9;&#9;</p>
			<p class="Editor----Citation"><span class="CharOverride-4">*Correspondence</span> | Asim Shamim, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan; <span class="CharOverride-4">Email:</span> asimshamimuajk@gmail.com</p>
			<p class="Editor----Citation"><span class="CharOverride-4">Citation</span> | Sultana N, Shamim A, Awan MS, Ali U, Hassan M, Siddique RM (2015). First pilot study on the prevalence of tick infestation in livestock of Tehsil Hajira, Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir. Adv. Anim. Vet. Sci. 3(8): 430-434.  </p>
			<p class="Editor----Citation"><span class="CharOverride-4">DOI</span> | <span class="Hyperlink"><a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.14737/journal.aavs/2015/3.8.430.434"> http://dx.doi.org/10.14737/journal.aavs/2015/3.8.430.434</a></span></p>
			<p class="Editor----Citation"><span class="Editor---Citation CharOverride-4">ISSN (Online)</span> | 2307-8316; <span class="Editor---Citation CharOverride-4">ISSN (Print)</span> | 2309-3331</p>
			<p class="Editor----Citation"><span class="CharOverride-4">Copyright</span> © 2015 Sultana et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.</p>
		</div>
		<div class="Basic-Text-Frame">
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">INTRODUCTION</p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Caps-on-First-Para ParaOverride-1"><span class="_idGenDropcap-1">T</span><span>icks </span>(Acari: Ixodid) are active vector, next to mosquitoes (<a href="#Le-Bars-C--2009-."><span class="Hyperlink">Le Bars, 2009</span></a>), in disease transmission found in tropical and subtropical (<a href="#Jongejan-F--Uilenberg-G--1994-.Ticks"><span class="Hyperlink">Jongejan and Uilenberg, 1994</span></a>), region of the world. Tick causes detrimental effect to animals via blood loss/ drain, stress, irritation and despair of immune function (<a href="#Ghosh-S--Bansel-GC--Gupta-SC-"><span class="Hyperlink">Ghosh et al., 2007</span></a>). In addition to these effects, ticks are also reason of financial losses in term of reducing hide and skin value up to 20-30% (<a href="#Biswas-S--2003"><span class="Hyperlink">Biswas, 2003</span></a>), and economical losses associated with the diseases they transmit directly to the hosts (<a href="#Garcia-Z--2003"><span class="Hyperlink">Garcia, 2003</span></a>). Due to climatic changes and global warming, ticks have a vectorial potential. The rate of tick infestation are expected to be change which further limit sustainable livestock production globally in general and in tropical area particular (<a href="#Kabir-MHB--Mondal-MMH"><span class="Hyperlink">Kabir et al., 2011</span></a>). A sufficient numbers of published data is available on tick prevalence from bordering region of the study area of Azad Kashmir (<a href="#Irshad-N--Qayyum-M--Huss"><span class="Hyperlink">Irshad et al., 2010</span></a>; <a href="#Atif-F-A--Khan-MS--Iqbal-HJ--Ali-Z--Ullah-S--"><span class="Hyperlink">Atif et al., 2012</span></a>) but not a single study was intended formerly to this study on tick prevalence which may represent tick infestation in the area. The prevalence of tick infestation in livestock is much higher in developing countries (<a href="#Minjauw-B--McLeod-A--2003"><span class="Hyperlink">Minjauw and McLeod, 2003</span></a>). Therefore, present study was designed with the objective to be acquainted with point prevalence of ticks in the livestock population of the Azad Kashmir and moreover interest behind study upon tick was also provide more information about the environmental settings i.e. temperature and humidity to which ticks are prone to be exposed.</p>
		  <p class="Caps-on-First-Para ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">MATERIALS AND METHODS</p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-2--History-in-MM-">Study Area</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">The study was piloted from 1<span class="CharOverride-7">st</span> June 2011 to 31<span class="CharOverride-7">st</span> December, 2011 in the six villages naming Nundinaar, Kamorh, Kalah, Draykutti, Numbal and Naka of Tehsil Hajira of district Poonch/Rawalakot of Azad Kashmir lies between longitude 33º 51’ 28 North and latitude 73º 45’ 39 East. The study area is bounded by Bagh from North, Sudnuti by South, and East by occupied Kashmir (India) and west by Kahuta (Pakistan). Its population according to census 2006 was 0.490 million and its area is 855 km. Average maximum temperature of the year was 21.64˚C while minimum 7.20˚C. Maximum temperature was recorded in months of June and July while minimum temperature was recorded during December and January (<a href="#Anonymous--2011"><span class="Hyperlink">Anonymous, 2011</span></a>). </p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1"><span class="CharOverride-8">Sampling Technique</span></p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">For the collection of data a random sampling technique (<a href="#Thrusfield-M--2007-"><span class="Hyperlink">Thrushfield, 2007</span></a>) was applied to gathered the data on tick prevalence from six village of the Tehsil Hajira. All the information required like age, sex, breed, managmental conditions, routine medication, and customs were collected on the predesigned proforma.</p>
			<p class="Heading-2--History-in-MM-">&nbsp;</p>
		  <p class="Heading-2--History-in-MM-">Specimen Collection</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Before collection of ticks animals were restrain properly and their whole body was thoroughly inspected visually for the presence of tick. Tick specimens were collected following the procedure of <a href="#Ica-A--Inci-A--Vatansaver-Z--Kraer-Z--2007"><span class="Hyperlink">Ica et al. (2007)</span></a>. After detachment of ticks through forcep from the animal body, they were preserved in 70% ethanol. The bottles were properly labelled and shipped to the Microbiology and Parasitological laboratory, Department of Zoology, Azad Kashmir University, Muzaffarabad, for identification and record of ticks.</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-2--History-in-MM-">Mounting and Identification of Ticks</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Following the methods of (<a href="#Soulsbly-EJL--1982-."><span class="Hyperlink">Soulsby, 1982</span></a>), the tick specimens were mounted and identified using standard morphological tick identification keys (<a href="#Walker-AR--Bouattour-JL--Camicas-AE--Pena-IG--Horak-AA--Latif-RG--Pegram-P--2003"><span class="Hyperlink">Walker et al., 2003</span></a>) under stereomicroscope.</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-2--History-in-MM-">Statistical Analysis </p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">All the data collected was analysed statistically by using software package SAS (<a href="#SAS-2010."><span class="Hyperlink">Version 2010</span></a>).</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">RESULTS</p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">During the present survey six villages were visited and a total of 1350 animals <span class="CharOverride-5">viz.</span> 600 goats, 300 sheep, 220 cows and 230 buffaloes were randomly inspected for tick collection. Out of 1350 animals 692/1350 (51.25%) animals were found positive/infested with ticks. From the sampled animals 288/600(48.00%) goats, 164/300(54.66%) sheep, 122/220(55.45%) cattle and 118/230(51.03%) buffaloes were found positive for ticks respectively. off the tick belong to genus <span class="CharOverride-5">Hylomma</span> was identified i.e. <span class="CharOverride-5">Hylomma a. anatolicum</span> commonly. The seasonal tick infestation during the study was observed in summer season than autumn season (<a href="#Figure-1-"><span class="Hyperlink">Figure 1</span></a>). Monthly highest prevalence of tick was during June and July and lowest during November. Sex-wise male animal were frequently infested than female animals. Association of various host and environment related determinants with the prevalence of ticks in livestock population of study area have been shown in <a href="#Table-1-"><span class="Hyperlink" xml:lang="en-US">Table 1</span></a>. The overall prevalence in Livestock species, there was non-significant (P.&gt;0.05) association in the present study.<span class="CharOverride-4"> </span></p>
		  
          <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
		  <div class="pt" > <a href="http://nexusacademicpublishers.com/uploads/figures/20150629041039.png" target="new"><img class="img_display" src="http://nexusacademicpublishers.com/uploads/figures/20150629041039.png" width="80" height="80"></a>
            
       	<p class="Figure--and-Table-Heading ParaOverride-1"><span class="CharOverride-4"><a id="Figure-1-"></a>Figure 1: </span><a href="http://nexusacademicpublishers.com/uploads/figures/20150629041039.png">Monthly prevalence of tick infection livestock species in association with metrological data of Tehsil Hajira, Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir)</a></p>
       </div>

			<p class="Figure--and-Table-Heading ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
		  <p class="Figure--and-Table-Heading ParaOverride-1"><span class="CharOverride-4"><a id="Table-1-"></a>Table 1:</span> Prevalence and host associated features of ticks infesting livestock species of Tehsil, Hajira, Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir</p>
			<table width="657" height="750" class="Table-Style-1" id="table-1">
				<colgroup>
					<col />
					<col />
					<col />
					<col />
					<col />
					<col />
					<col />
					<col />
					<col />
					<col />
				</colgroup>
				<tbody>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-11">Variables</span></p>
						</td>
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-11">Levels</span></p>
						</td>
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-11">Animals Screened</span></p>
						</td>
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-11">Ticks Positive</span></p>
						</td>
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-11">Prevalence (%)</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="3">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-11">Confidence interval 95% </span></p>
						</td>
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-11">Odds Ratio</span></p>
						</td>
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-11">P-value</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Lower limit</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Upper limit </span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td rowspan="4">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Animal Specie</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Cattle</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">220</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">122</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">55.45</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">48.84</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">61.93</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">1.16</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">0.266</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Sheep</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">300</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">164</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">54.66</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">49.00</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">60.24</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">1.14</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">0.289</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Buffalo</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">230</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">118</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">51.30</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">44.85</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">57.73</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">1.07</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">0.614</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Goat</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">600</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">288</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">48.00</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">44.02</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">52.00</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td colspan="10">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2"><span class="CharOverride-11">Cattle</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Age</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Young</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">74</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">56</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">75.68</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">37.21</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">54.79</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">1.67</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">0.024</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Adults</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">146</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">66</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">45.21</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">45.21</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">62.79</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Sex</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Male</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">82</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">60</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">73.17</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">40.38</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">58.02</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">1.63</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">0.034</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Female</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">138</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">62</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">44.93</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">41.98</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">59.62</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Season</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Summer</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">110</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">76</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">69.09</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">53.45</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">70.56</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">1.65</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">0.027</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Autumn</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">110</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">46</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">41.82</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">29.44</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">46.55</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td colspan="10">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2"><span class="CharOverride-11">Buffalo</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Age</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Young</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">86</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">60</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">69.77</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">41.86</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">59.79</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">1.73</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">0.019</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Adults</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">144</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">58</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">40.28</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">40.21</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">58.14</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Sex</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Male</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">86</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">58</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">67.44</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">40.21</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">58.14</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">1.62</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">0.034</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Female</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">144</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">60</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">41.67</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">41.86</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">59.79</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Season</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Summer</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">115</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">74</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">64.35</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">53.73</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">71.08</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">1.68</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">0.027</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Autumn</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">115</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">44</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">38.26</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">28.92</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">46.27</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td colspan="10">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2"><span class="CharOverride-11">Sheep</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Age</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Young</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">86</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">68</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">79.07</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">34.10</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">49.12</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">1.76</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">0.006</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Adults</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">214</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">96</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">44.86</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">50.88</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">65.90</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Sex</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Male</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">102</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">74</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">72.55</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">37.62</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">52.79</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">1.60</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">0.019</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Female</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">198</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">90</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">45.45</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">47.21</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">62.38</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Season</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Summer</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">150</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">100</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">66.67</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">53.35</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">68.22</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">1.56</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">0.022</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Autumn</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">150</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">64</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">42.67</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">31.78</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">46.65</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td colspan="10">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2"><span class="CharOverride-11">Goat</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Age</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Young</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">176</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">118</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">67.05</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">35.40</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">46.73</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">1.67</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">0.001</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Adults</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">424</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">170</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">40.09</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">53.27</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">64.60</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Sex</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Male</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">204</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">128</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">62.75</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">38.78</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">50.22</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">1.55</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">0.003</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Female</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">396</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">160</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">40.40</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">49.78</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">61.22</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1">
						<td rowspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Season</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Summer</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">300</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">178</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">59.33</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">56.09</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">67.22</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">1.62</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">0.021</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2">
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">Autumn</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">300</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">110</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">36.67</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">32.71</span></p>
						</td>
						<td colspan="2">
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">43.91</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Basic-Paragraph"><span class="CharOverride-12">-</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
				</tbody>
			</table>
		  <p>&nbsp;</p>
			<p><br>
		  </p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">DISCUSSION </p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Ticks are potential vector of viral bacterial, protozoal and helminths diseases with zoonotic significance in animals and human (<a href="#Dantas-Torres-F--2012-.-Ca"><span class="Hyperlink">Dantas-Torres, 2008</span></a>). So in this regard evidence about tick prevalence in any specific area in essential for the planning of control measure towards ticks and tick borne diseases. Due to continuous change in environmental setting, tick borne emerging and re-emerging infections of different causes have been reporting globally. In the present developmental scenario, it is very much necessary to attain information about the ever changing trends of diseases particularly of vector linked which infect livestock and Humans both. Widespread research studies have been piloted on the prevalence of the tick fauna and associated risk factors in numerous part of the world but the study area is not explored regarding this aspect. This is the first effort to conduct study in the area. Only single species of tick <span class="CharOverride-5">Hylomma anatolicum</span> was identified from the examined livestock of the area. The identified species of tick was also reported by (<a href="#Sajid-MS--Iqbal-2009"><span class="Hyperlink">Sajid et al., 2009</span></a>; <a href="#Sajid-MS--Iqbal-Z-2011"><span class="Hyperlink">2011</span></a>; <a href="#Atif-F-A--Khan-MS--Iqbal-HJ--Ali-Z--Ullah-S--"><span class="Hyperlink">Atif et al., 2012</span></a>; <a href="#Biu-AA--Rabo-JS--Dawurung-J"><span class="Hyperlink">Biu et al., 2012</span></a>; <a href="#Monfared-AL--Mohammad-M--Roohollah-F--2015-"><span class="Hyperlink">Monfared et al., 2013</span></a>; <a href="#Mustafa-I--Rana-MKS--Marghoob-S--Ifti"><span class="Hyperlink">Mustafa et al., 2014</span></a>) from other areas. Results of the present study are somewhat similar or different to the studies carried out earlier in other part of the globe (<a href="#Irshad-N--Qayyum-M--Huss"><span class="Hyperlink">Irshad et al., 2010</span></a>; <a href="#Sajid-MS--Iqbal-Z-2011"><span class="Hyperlink">Sajid et al., 2011</span></a>; <a href="#Ahmed-S--Muhammad-N-"><span class="Hyperlink">Ahmed et al., 2012</span></a>; <a href="#Monfared-AL--Mohammad-M--Roohollah-F--2015-"><span class="Hyperlink">Monfared et al., 2013</span></a>; <a href="#Iqbal-A--Sajid-MS--Khan-MN--Khan"><span class="Hyperlink">Iqbal et al., 2013</span></a>; <a href="#Tasawar-Z--Nasim-S--Lashari-MH--2014"><span class="Hyperlink">Tasawar et al., 2014</span></a>; <a href="#Hassan--Al-Zubaidi--2014"><span class="Hyperlink">Hassan and Al-Zubaidi, 2014</span></a>; <a href="#Mustafa-I--Rana-MKS--Marghoob-S--Ifti"><span class="Hyperlink">Mustafa et al., 2014</span></a>). Several environment related factors which support tick survival in the specific area including; temperature, humidity, rainfall (<a href="#Greenfield-BPJ--201"><span class="Hyperlink">Greenfield et al., 2011</span></a>),<span class="CharOverride-4"> </span>vegetation (<a href="#Gray-JS--2002"><span class="Hyperlink">Gray, 2002</span></a>),<span class="CharOverride-4"> </span>host availability, season (<a href="#Teel-PD--Marin-SL--Grant-WE--1996-"><span class="Hyperlink">Teel et al., 1996</span></a>), altitude<span class="CharOverride-4"> </span>(<a href="#Cadenas-FM--Rais-O--Jouda-F--Douet-V--Humair-PF--Moret-J--Gern-L--20"><span class="Hyperlink">Cadenas et al., 2007</span></a>),<span class="CharOverride-4"> </span>breed, age, sex, stage of lactation, gestation period and nutritional status of the animal<span class="CharOverride-4"> </span>(<a href="#Alonso-DMA--L-pez-SBJ--Leme-DLAC--Rodr-g"><span class="Hyperlink">Alonso et al., 2007</span></a>;<span class="CharOverride-4"> </span><a href="#Yacob-HT--Ataklty-H--Kumsa-B--2008"><span class="Hyperlink">Yacob et al., 2008</span></a>),<span class="CharOverride-4"> </span>body condition (<a href="#Rony-SA--Mondal-MMH--Begum-N--Islam-MA--Affroze-S--2010"><span class="Hyperlink">Rony et al., 2010</span></a>), method of application of acaricides (<a href="#Bianchi-MW--Barre-N--Messad-S--2003"><span class="Hyperlink">Bianchi et al., 2003</span></a>) and husbandry practices (<a href="#Sajid-MS--Iqbal-Z-2011"><span class="Hyperlink">Sajid et al., 2011</span></a>), and animal movement (<a href="#Hassan--Osman--2003"><span class="Hyperlink">Hassan and Osman, 2003</span></a>). The reason of higher prevalence of tick in livestock species of the study area could be due to the climate and geography of the study area as the climate variables significantly affect ticks distribution in particular region (<a href="#Estrada-Pe-a-A--Bouattour-A--Camicas-JL"><span class="Hyperlink">Estrada-Pena, 2003</span></a>). Season plays key role in tick propagation and distribution and it is an established that peak tick prevalence has been reported in summer (<a href="#Rony-SA--Mondal-MMH--Begum-N--Islam-MA--Affroze-S--2010"><span class="Hyperlink">Rony et al., 2010</span></a>). From the surrounding part of the study area reports have shown that higher tick prevalence in summer (<a href="#Durrani-AZ--Shakoori-AR--2009"><span class="Hyperlink">Durrani and Shakoori, 2009</span></a>). Present study was carriedout in summer and autumn season depicted higher prevalence in summer when weather conditions were hot and humid that support ticks survival and expanding (<a href="#Ghosh-S--Bansel-GC--Gupta-SC-"><span class="Hyperlink">Ghosh et al., 2007</span></a>). Husbandry practices are also correlated with tick richness and distribution. In this situation, mixed grazing of different animal species at same pasture and / or mixed housing provides maximum opportunity for tick to infest large population at a time. In study area, sheds for animals are made of bricks and stones with mud which provides cracks and cervices that suits for nidiculoous questing behaviour of ticks (<a href="#Soulsbly-EJL--1982-."><span class="Hyperlink">Soulsby, 1982</span></a>). Result of the current study found that male and young crop of livestock species were more exposed to tick infestation. This could be due to the less attention has been paid by owner towards male in the investigated area and on the other hand hormonal effect mainly, androgen and oestrogen which had inhibitory and stimulatory effect on immune response due to which male animals are more prone to ticks then females (<a href="#Bilbo-SD--Nelson-R-J--2001"><span class="Hyperlink">Bilbo and Nelson, 2001</span></a>). Soft and pliable skin of young animal facilitates tick and prolongs duration of attachment (<a href="#Sajid-MS--Iqbal-2009"><span class="Hyperlink">Sajid et al., 2009</span></a>; <a href="#Kabir-MHB--Mondal-MMH"><span class="Hyperlink">Kabir et al., 2011</span></a>). In male animals higher prevalence was also reported by (<a href="#Tasawar-Z--Nasim-S--Lashari-MH--2014"><span class="Hyperlink">Tasawar et al., 2014</span></a>). Awareness about the treatment of infested animals and lack of veterinary facilities are the noteworthy reasons for high tick infestation in the area. </p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">CONCLUSION </p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">So it has been concluded that ticks are prevalent in the livestock population of study area and different determinants including age, sex, and season are the risk factors for tick distribution.</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">RECOMMENDATIONS</p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">On the basis of results of the present study some recommendations are advised for farmers and researchers (a) prophylactic therapy, to their livestock population must be administered at the start of warm season (April-May), (b) young and male animals should especially be attended (c) livestock and dairy development organizations must launch an awareness campaign to the areas for possible threats of tick and ticks borne diseases to the livestock (d) screening of ticks for the detection of pathogen of zoonotic significance using modern biotechnology tools. (e) arrange such kind of study in other areas of Azad Kashmir. </p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">ACKNOWLEDGEMENT </p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">The authors are thankful to the farmer community of the study area and field staff of Livestock Department of Tehsil Hajira, Poonch District, of Azad Kashmir for their support during tick collection.</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">CONFLICT OF INTEREST </p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">There exist no conflict of interest.</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">AUTHORS CONTRIBUTION</p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text">All the authors have equal contribution for this manuscript.</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text">&nbsp; </p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">REFERENCES</p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			
			  <li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Ahmed-S--Muhammad-N-"></a>Ahmed S, Muhammad N, Abdual W, Mansoor, firdusia AA (2012). Investigations into Ixodidae ticks in cattle in Lahore Pakistan. Vet. Italainia. 48 (2):185-191.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Alonso-DMA--L-pez-SBJ--Leme-DLAC--Rodr-g"></a>Alonso DMA, López SBJ, Leme DLAC, Rodríguez VRI (2007). Infestación natural de hembras de Boophilus microplus Canestrini, 1887 (Acari: Ixodidae) en dos genotipos de bovinos en el trópico húmedo de Veracruz, México. Vet. México. 38: 503-509.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Bianchi-MW--Barre-N--Messad-S--2003"></a>Bianchi MW, Barre N, Messad S (2003). Factors related to cattle infes-tation level and resistance to acaricides in Boophilus microplus tickpopulations in New Caledonia. Vet. Parasitol. 112: 75–89.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Anonymous--2011"></a>Anonymous (2011). Pakistan Metrological Department, Lahore, Pakistan. </li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Atif-F-A--Khan-MS--Iqbal-HJ--Ali-Z--Ullah-S--"></a>Atif F A, Khan MS, Iqbal HJ, Ali Z, Ullah S (2012). Prevalence of cattle tick infestation in three districts of the Punjab, Pakistan. Pak. J. Sci. 64(1): 49-53.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Bilbo-SD--Nelson-R-J--2001"></a>Bilbo SD, Nelson R J (2001). Sex steroid hormones enhance immune function in male and female Hamsters. Am. J. Phys. Reg. Int. Comp. Phy. 280(2): 207-213.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Biswas-S--2003"></a>Biswas S (2003). Role of veterinarians in the care and management during harvest of skin in livestock species. In: Proc. National Seminar on Lather Industry in Today’s Perspective, Kolkata, India. 62-64.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Biu-AA--Rabo-JS--Dawurung-J"></a>Biu AA, Rabo JS, Dawurung JS, Abubakr S IG (2012). Survey study on the tick fauna of small ruminants on the University of Maiduguri Research Farm (UMRF), Nigeria. Academia. Arena. 4(3):1-3.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Cadenas-FM--Rais-O--Jouda-F--Douet-V--Humair-PF--Moret-J--Gern-L--20"></a>Cadenas FM, Rais O, Jouda F, Douet V, Humair PF, Moret J, Gern L (2007). Phenology of Ixodes ricinus and infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato along and north- and south-altitudinal gradient on Chaumont Mountain, Switzerland. J. Med. Entomol. 44: 683-693. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/44.4.683"><span class="Hyperlink">http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/44.4.683</span></a></li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Dantas-Torres-F--2012-.-Ca"></a>Dantas-Torres F (2012). Canine vector-borne diseases in Brazil. Parasite Vectors. 1: 25. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-1-25"><span class="Hyperlink">http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-1-25</span></a></li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Durrani-AZ--Shakoori-AR--2009"></a>Durrani AZ, Shakoori AR (2009). Study on ecological growth conditions of cattle Hyalomma ticks in Punjab, Pakistan. Iranian. J. Parasitol. 4(1): 19-25.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Estrada-Pe-a-A--Bouattour-A--Camicas-JL"></a>Estrada-Peña A, Bouattour A, Camicas JL, Guglielmone A, Horak I, Jongejan F, Latif A, Pegram R, Walker AR (2006). The known distribution and ecological preferences of the tick subgenus <span class="CharOverride-5">Boophilus</span> (Acari: Ixodidae) in Africa and Latin America. Exp. Appl. Acarol. (38): 219–235. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10493-006-0003-5"><span class="Hyperlink">http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10493-006-0003-5</span></a></li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Garcia-Z--2003"></a>Garcia Z (2003). Integrated control of Boophilus microplus in cattle. In: Proc. 11th Int. Congr. Int. Society for Animal Hygiene, Mexico City, Mexico.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Ghosh-S--Bansel-GC--Gupta-SC-"></a>Ghosh S, Bansel GC, Gupta SC, Ray D, Khan MQ, Irshad H, Shahaiduzzaman M, Seitzer, Ahmed JS (2007). Status of ticks distribution in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Parasit. Res. 101: 207-216. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00436-007-0684-7"><span class="Hyperlink">http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00436-007-0684-7</span></a></li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Gray-JS--2002"></a>Gray JS (2002). Biology of Ixodes species ticks in relation to tick-borne zoonoses. Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. 114: 473–478.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Greenfield-BPJ--201"></a>Greenfield BPJ (2011). Environmental parameters affecting tick (<span class="CharOverride-5">Ixodes ricinus</span>) distribution during the summer season in Richmond Park, London. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/biohorizons/hzr016"><span class="Hyperlink">http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/biohorizons/hzr016</span></a></li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Hassan--Al-Zubaidi--2014"></a>Hassan RH, Al-Zubaidi HH (2014). Cattle and buffaloes tick’s infestation in Wasit province districts, Iraq. Kufa. J. Vet. Med. Sci. 5(1): 31-40.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Hassan--Osman--2003"></a>Hassan SM, Osman AM (2003). Ecological and biological factors determining population dynamics of ixodid ticks: A review. Sudan. J. Vet. Sci. Anim. Husb. 42(1-2): 16–44.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Ica-A--Inci-A--Vatansaver-Z--Kraer-Z--2007"></a>Ica A, Inci A, Vatansaver Z, Kraer Z (2007). Status of ticks infestation of cattle in the Keyseri region of Turkey. Parasitol. Res. 101(2): 167-169. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00436-007-0695-4"><span class="Hyperlink">http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00436-007-0695-4</span></a></li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Iqbal-A--Sajid-MS--Khan-MN--Khan"></a>Iqbal A, Sajid MS, Khan MN, Khan MK (2013). Frequency distribution of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting bubaline population of district Toba Tek Singh, Punjab, Pakistan. Parasitol. Res. 112(4): 535-541. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00436-012-3164-7"><span class="Hyperlink">http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00436-012-3164-7</span></a></li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Iqbal-A--Sajid-2014"></a>Iqbal A, Sajid MS, Khan MN, Muhammad G (2014). Epizootiology of ectoparasitic fauna infesting selected domestic cattle population of Punjab, Pakistan. Int. J. Agri. Biol. 16:443-446.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Irshad-N--Qayyum-M--Huss"></a>Irshad N, Qayyum M, Hussain M, Khan MQ (2010). Prevalence of tick infestation and theileriosis in sheep and goats. Pak. Vet. J. 30(3): 178-180.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Jongejan-F--Uilenberg-G--1994-.Ticks"></a>Jongejan F, Uilenberg G (1994). Ticks and control methods. In: Blancou J, editor. Ectoparasites of animals and control methods. Sci Tech Rev, 13 (4). Paris, France: Office. Int. des. Epi (OIE). Pp. 1201-1226.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Jongejan-F--Uilenberg-G--2004-.-The-G"></a>Jongejan F, Uilenberg G (2004). The Global importance of ticks. Parasitology. 29: 13–14.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Kabir-MHB--Mondal-MMH"></a>Kabir MHB, Mondal MMH, Eliyas M, Mannan MA, Hashem MA, Debnath NC, Miazi OF, Mohiuddin C, Kashem MR, Islam, Elahi MF (2011). An epidemiological survey on investigation of tick infestation in cattle at Chittagong district, Bangladesh. Afr. J. Micro. Res. 5(4): 346–352.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Kadir-MA--Zangana-IK--M"></a>Kadir MA, Zangana IK, Mustafa BHS (2012). A study on epidemiology of hard tick (Ixodidae) in sheep in Sulaimani governorate Iraq. Iraqi J. Vet. Sci. 26(3): 95-103.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Kebede-N--Teshome-F--2012"></a><a id="Le-Bars-C--2009-."></a>Le Bars C (2009). Tick-borne disease management. Vet. Times. <a href="http://www.vetsonline.com/publications/veterinary-times/archives/n-39-33/tick-borne-disease-treatment.html"><span class="Hyperlink">http://www.vetsonline.com/publications/veterinary-times/archives/n-39-33/tick-borne-disease-treatment.html</span></a></li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Minjauw-B--McLeod-A--2003"></a>Minjauw B, McLeod A (2003). Tick-borne diseases and poverty. The impact of ticks and tick-borne diseases on the livelihood of small scale and marginal livestock owners in India and eastern and southern Africa. Research report, DFID Animal Health Programme, Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, UK. 59-60.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Monfared-AL--Mohammad-M--Roohollah-F--2015-"></a>Monfared AL, Mohammad M, Roohollah F (2015). Prevalence of ixodid ticks on cattle, sheep and goats in Ilam County, Ilam Province, Iran. J. Para. Dis. 39(1): 37-40. </li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Mustafa-I--Rana-MKS--Marghoob-S--Ifti"></a>Mustafa I, Rana MKS, Marghoob S, Iftikhar A, Aleem R, Sadaf J, Hira M, Shabbier RG , Ghani A, Mahmood T, Aslam M, Khan MR, Asif S, Malik IU, Muhammad AB, Aqeel MA, Qayyum M, Waqas A, Ahmed H (2014). Seasonal activity of tick infestation in goats and buffalo of Punjab province (district Sargodha), Pakistan. Kafkas. Univ. Vet. Fak. Derg. 20 (5): 655-662.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Rony-SA--Mondal-MMH--Begum-N--Islam-MA--Affroze-S--2010"></a>Rony SA, Mondal MMH, Begum N, Islam MA, Affroze S (2010). Epidemiology of ectoparasitic infestations in cattle at Bhawal forest area, Gazipur. Bang. J. Vet. Med. 8: 27-33.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Sajid-MS--Iqbal-2009"></a>Sajid MS, Iqbal Z, Khan MN, Muhammad G (2009). <span class="CharOverride-5">In vitro</span> and <span class="CharOverride-5">in vivo</span> efficacies of ivermectin and cypermethrin against the cattle tick Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (Acari: Ixodidae). Parasitol. Re.s 105(5): 1133–1138. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00436-009-1538-2"><span class="Hyperlink">http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00436-009-1538-2</span></a></li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Sajid-MS--Iqbal-Z-2011"></a>Sajid MS, Iqbal Z, Khan MN, Muhammad G, Needham G, Khan MK (2011). Prevalence, associated determinants, and <span class="CharOverride-5">in vivo</span> chemotherapeutic control of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting domestic goats (<span class="CharOverride-5">Capra hircus</span>) of lower Punjab, Pakistan. Parasitol. Res. 3(1): 601–609. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-2103-8"><span class="Hyperlink">http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-2103-8</span></a></li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="SAS-2010."></a>SAS 2010. SAS/STAT User Guides version 6.12. SAS Inst Inc, Cary, NC, USA. </li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Soulsbly-EJL--1982-."></a>Soulsbly EJL (1982). Helminths, arthropods and protozoa of domesiticated animals. 7th ed. Bailliere Tindal, London UK. pp. 809. </li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Tasawar-Z--Nasim-S--Lashari-MH--2014"></a>Tasawar Z, Nasim S, Lashari MH (2014). The prevalence of ixodid ticks on buffaloes at private animal farm Bibipur, Multan. Global. Vet. 12 (2): 154-157.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Teel-PD--Marin-SL--Grant-WE--1996-"></a>Teel PD, Marin SL, Grant WE (1996). Simulation of host parasite landscape interactions: influence of season and habitat on cattle fever tick (<span class="CharOverride-5">Boophilus</span> sp.) population dynamics. Ecol. Model. 84:19–30. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0304-3800(94)00142-1"><span class="Hyperlink">http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0304-3800(94)00142-1</span></a></li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Thrusfield-M--2007-"></a>Thrusfield M (2007).Veterinary Epidemology. 2nd edition. UK: Black Wellscience Ltd. 182-98.</li>
		  <li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Walker-AR--Bouattour-JL--Camicas-AE--Pena-IG--Horak-AA--Latif-RG--Pegram-P--2003"></a>Walker AR, Bouattour JL, Camicas AE, Pena IG, Horak AA, Latif RG, Pegram P (2003). Ticks of domestic animals in Africa. A guide to identification of species. Biosciences report. Atal. Hout. Netherland. 74: 218-221.</li>
				<li class="References ParaOverride-3" xml:lang="en-US"><a id="Yacob-HT--Ataklty-H--Kumsa-B--2008"></a>Yacob HT, Ataklty H, Kumsa B (2008). Major ectoparasites of cattle in and around Mekelle, northern Ethiopia. Entomol. Res. 38: 126-130. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5967.2008.00148.x"><span class="Hyperlink">http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5967.2008.00148.x</span></a></li>
                <p>&nbsp;</p>
                <p>&nbsp;</p>
                <p>&nbsp;</p>
                <p>&nbsp;</p>
          <p>&nbsp;</p>
		
		</div>
	</body>
</html>
