| Description |
Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease of cattle caused by the protozoan parasites Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens, and others.
Babesia bigemina (tropical/sub-tropical distribution) and Babesia bovis (‘Texas cattle fever’) have never been detected in Ireland.
Babesia divergens is present in Ireland and is the cause of clinical babesiosis in cattle. It is also a recognised zoonosis, and although quite rare, there is the potential for severe clinical disease to occur in splenectomised/ immunocompromised humans via tick bites in endemic areas. Babesiosis can also occur in immunocompetent individuals.
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