Texas fever

Texas Fever (also known as Bovine Babesiosis, Cattle Fever, or Redwater Fever) is a tick-borne disease of cattle caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. The disease is primarily transmitted by the Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus tick, commonly known as the southern cattle tick, and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, the cattle fever tick.

History

The disease was first recognized in the United States in the 19th century when northern cattle herds, driven to southern pastures during winter months, became ill or died after returning north. This led to the disease being commonly referred to as Splenic Fever or Texas Fever.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Texas Fever include high fever, anemia, jaundice, red urine, rapid breathing, and a rapid heart rate. In severe cases, the disease can cause death.

Transmission

Texas Fever is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. The ticks pick up the Babesia parasites when they feed on infected cattle, and then transmit the parasites to other cattle when they feed again.

Prevention and Control

Prevention and control of Texas Fever primarily involves controlling the tick population and vaccinating cattle. The United States Department of Agriculture's Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program has been successful in largely eliminating the disease in the United States.

See Also

• Tick-borne disease
• Babesiosis
• Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus
• Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus