Review On Bovine Babesiosis And Its Current Status In Ethiopia

Abstract

Bovine babesiosis, also known as red water or tick fever, is the most common arthropod-borne disease affecting cattle globally, resulting in high rates of morbidity and mortality. It affects many different domestic and wild animals as well as humans on occa-sion. It is brought on by intra-erythrocytic protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia, which are spread by ticks. Two important Babesia species: B. bigemina and B. bovis infect cattle. They are wide spread in tropical and subtropical areas including Ethio-pia and are vectored by one host tick Rhipicephalus species and transmission is manly transovarially. Babesia produces acute disease by hemolysis and circulatory disturbance mechanism. Babesia species normally finish their life cycle in three phases, Gamogony, Sporogony, and Merogony. Microscopic examination is still cheapest and fastest method used to identify Babesia parasites. But not reliable for detection of carrier animals. In these cases molecular detection methods, or serological diagnos-tic procedures to demonstrate specific antibodies, are required. Although some species of Babesia such as Microti can affect healthy people, cattle parasites seem to cause disease only in people who are immune-compromised. Imidocarb is the drug of choice for bovine babesiosis. Babesiosis is one of the most important diseases in Ethiopia because it occurs sometimes in acute forms with serious recognized clinical manifestations yet lowering the productive performance of the affected animals. So Active prevention and control of Babesiosis is achieved by immunization, chemoprophylaxis and vector control.