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Red Water (Bovine Babesiosis)

What is it?
Redwater is a tick-borne disease of cattle that is of major economic importance to cattle farmers in Zimbabwe.

Cause
Redwater is caused by a protozoan parasite (Babesia species) which targets the animals' red blood cells. The parasite is transmitted
between cattle by brown ticks i.e. Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp ticks. The major clinical presentations of red water include fever, loss of
appetite (animals stop grazing), weakness, anemia, and passing of reddish/brown urine (thus the common name red water). Sometimes
animals with red water die suddenly without showing any clinical signs of sickness.

Prevention
The major preventative measure is to control the tick vector. This is best achieved by regular dipping in acaricide. It is recommended to
dip cattle once per week during the rainy season and once fortnightly during the dry season. Additionally, the application of tick grease in
the ear, under the tail, and tail brush should be done. If dips are not available, animals can be sprayed with acaricides or topical
formulations can be used. Movement of tick-infested animals is illegal and should be avoided as it spreads the disease to other areas.
Indigenous cattle breeds (Bos indicus) are more resistant to redwater than European breeds (Bos taurus). It is also worth noting that
calves younger than six months have an innate resistance to red water, therefore if moving cattle to an endemic redwater area, it is
better to introduce them during calf-hood and allow them to develop acquired immunity to red water before this innate immunity weanes
off. Another tool that can be used to control red water is vaccination and the vaccine can be sourced from the Department of Veterinary
Services.

Treatment and Control

Redwater can be treated using either imidocarb dipropionate or diminazene aceturate. In severe disease, supportive therapy may include
blood transfusion and the use of anti-inflammatory agents.