Be On The Lookout For Piroplasmosis!

Transmitted mainly by red-legged ticks, this disease is endemic in horses, donkeys, moles and zebra, says Dr Mac.

- Dr Mac

Biliary, otherwise known as piroplasmosis, is caused by the blood parasites Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. These parasites belong to the order Piroplasmida, and as a result, the internationally accepted name for both forms of the disease is now piroplasmosis.

The disease is considered endemic to parts of Africa, including South Africa, South America, the Middle East, Asia and some parts of Southern Europe. In these countries, up to 90% of horses are carriers. Countries that are free of the disease insist that horses are tested prior to importation, although competition horses would be allowed to enter the country, provided they are quarantined and treated with insecticides.

TRANSMISSION

Piroplasmosis is known to be transmitted by over 30 types of ticks, but in South Africa, both parasites are mainly transmitted by the red-legged tick, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, as well as the blue tick, Rhipicephalus microplus,