Tick- Borne Diseases: 1-Incidence of Babesiosis Amongst Livestock During 2013-2018 At Alkadaru Teaching Veterinary Hospital, Bahri, Khartoum North

Abstract

During 2013-2018 A total of 3457 different animals were admitted to the Teaching Veterinary Hospital (TVH), College of veterinary Medicine, University of Bahri . Blood samples were taken from the ear vein and smears were prepared, stained and examined in the laboratory for babesia parasite. A total of 687 (19.87%) samples were positive out of which 433(63.02%) were cattle,55(8.01%)sheep,177(25.76%)goat, 13 (1.89%) camel , 5(0.72%) horses, one(0.15%) donkey, one(0.15%)deer , and 2(0.30%) dogs . Compared to other years, the positive cases of babesosis were higher, 337 (49.05%) during 2017. In cattle, during the study period there was fluctuation amongst different seasons comparing between different years. However, comparing between seasons, generally the prevalence of babesia was significantly higher during summer (p˂0.05) and autumn (p˂0.01).In sheep, comparing between different years there was fluctuation amongst different seasons. However, comparing between seasons, generally the prevalence of babesia was significantly higher during autumn (p˂0.05). In goats, between years there were fluctuations for babesia prevalence in different seasons, while comparing between seasons, winter had significantly (p˂0.05) higher values. It is concluded that, babesiosis is one of the serious health problems in North Bahri that may negatively affect animals’ production mainly cattle and goats. This study also revealed that, babesia showed seasonal fluctuations in its occurrence. Restrict tick control strategies should be implemented by the veterinary authorities . A seroprevalence study should be performed for genetic characterization of babesia in the area. Moreover, studies to investigate drug resistance and epidemiological studies should be conducted amongst animal labors and owners.