The Texas Department of Agriculture has allocated an additional $3.7 million in funds to the existing $8.5 million allocated for 2017 to combat the spread of the cattle tick fever in South Texas. The ticks spread intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites that cause Babesiosis.
Source: The Monitor, May 9, 2014.
Cattle fever ticks are known scientifically as Rhipicephalus annulatus and R. microplus. They are capable of carrying Babesia bovis or B. bigemina, microscopic parasites commonly known as cattle fever, according to the Texas Animal Health Commission. Up to 90 percent of susceptible cattle that are infected with the disease die.
INSIGHTS: Although the major economic impact of babesiosis is in the cattle industry, infections in other domestic animals, including horses, sheep, goats, pigs, and dogs, assume varying degrees of importance throughout the world according to the Merck Veterinary Manual.