BOVINE BABESIOSIS Aetiology Epidemiology Diagnosis Prevention and Control References

Classification of the causative agent Bovine babesiosis (BB) is a tick-borne disease of cattle caused by the protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia, order Piroplasmida, phylum Apicomplexa. The principal species of Babesia that cause BB are: Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina and Babesia divergens. Other Babesia that can infect cattle include B. major, B. ovata, B. occultans and B. jakimovi. Resistance to physical and chemical action This agent does not survive outside its hosts and can only be transmitted through a tick vector. Therefore, parameters associated with resistance to physical and chemical actions (such as temperature, chemical/disinfectants, and environmental survival) are not meaningful. Susceptibility to medicines and vaccines are described under “Prevention and control”. EPIDEMIOLOGY All Babesia are transmitted by ticks with a limited host range. The principal vectors of B. bovis and B. bigemina are Rhipicephalus spp. ticks and these are widespread in tropical and subtropical countries. The major arthropod vector of B. divergens is Ixodes ricinus. BB is principally maintained by subclinically infected cattle that have recovered from disease. Morbidity and mortality vary greatly and are influence