Prevalence and risk factors assessment of theileriosis in livestock of Malakand Division, Pakistan

Abstract In Pakistan, theileriosis is the main hemoparasitic disease in large and small ruminants. The present one-year study from Oct 2017 to Sep 2018 was designed to calculate the prevalence and risk factors associated with theileriosis in livestock of ten areas of Malakand Division. A total of 1437 blood samples (n = 240 sheep, n = 658 cow, n = 340 buffalo, n = 199 goat) were collected. The overall prevalence of theileriosis recorded was 3.20% (46/1437). The prevalence was higher in cows (5.62%) followed by goats (3.02%), buffaloes (0.59%) and least in sheep (0.42%). The locality of the herd also significantly affected the prevalence of theileriosis in livestock with a highest prevalence in the Asbanr area. There was significantly high association of season with theileriosis. Herd size of 10 animals. Animals having an infection history of 15 days. Gender and age were not significant risk factors for theileriosis. The current work reveals prevalence and relationship of species of animal, locality, season, age and sex of animal, herd size, infection history and tick infestation with the prevalence of the disease. Appropriate tick control measures, rearing resistant breeds and identification of carrier animals will be helpful in reducing the incidence of the disease in livestock.