Abstract

Background: Infestation with ticks is a principal problem faced by camel herds in arid and semiarid areas. In addition
to their harmful effects on economic status, ticks play an essential role in the transmission of various pathogens that
are vital for veterinary and human medicine. However, there is little data available on tick infestations of dromedary
camels in Libya.
Aim: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and intensity of tick infestations and analyze some epidemiological
risk factors of tick infestations among dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Central Libya.
Methods: An epidemiological study was conducted on 600 randomly chosen camels of different ages and sex groups
between January 2024 and December 2025. Demographic characteristics, including age, sex, anti-tick treatment,
and seasonal migration, were obtained by interviewing the farmers through a structured questionnaire. The intensity
of tick infestation was classified as mild, moderate, or severe, based on the number of ticks collected per animal.
Morphological identification of tick species was performed, and associations of tick infestations and investigated
epidemiological risk factors were estimated using the chi-square test.
Results: The prevalence of tick infestations was 97.8% (587/600). All collected tick samples were identified as
Hyalomma dromedarii. Severe tick infestations prevailed (38.5%), and moderate and mild tick infestations accounted
for 30.2% and 29.2%, respectively, whereas only 2.2% of the camels examined lacked tick infestations. Although the
prevalence rate of tick infestations was somewhat different depending on age, sex, anti-tick treatment, and seasonal
migration, none of these factors exhibited any statistically significant association with tick infestations (P > 0.05). The
prevalence of tick infestation was highest in camels aged > 7 years (99.0%).
Conclusion: This study showed a very high prevalence of tick infestation among dromedary camels in Central Libya,
with H. dromedarii being the predominant tick species. The predominance of moderate and severe infestation levels
highlights the need for improved tick control measures and continuous epidemiological surveillance. Further studies
incorporating molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens and acaricide resistance assessment are recommended.

Key words: Camelus dromedarius; Hyalomma dromedarii; Libya; Risk factors; Tick infestation.