Investigation of ticks parasitizing animal body surface and surroundings in Shanghai, 2015-2016

ObjectiveTo investigate the tick species and their distribution which parasitized the body surface of animals and surroundings in Shanghai.

MethodsTicks samples were collected from host bodies and their surroundings directly, and then classified and identified in the laboratory.

ResultsThere were 106 ticks and 18 ticks captured from host animals and their surroundings, respectively, which proved to be Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Haemaphysalis loniconis, respectively.The parasitizing rate for goat and dogs were 0.89% and 0.36%, which were relatively low.The tick infestation rate in dog houses was 1.02%, followed by animal farm(0.79%), household(0.31%) and pet stores(0.15%).

ConclusionIn Shanghai, Rs. sanguineus is the dominant species, and the hosts of ticks are goats and dogs.Measures should be taken to strengthen the surveillance and control of ticks.