Abstract

Bovine babesiosis is a heamoparasitic disease that affects cattle and results in severe morbidity and mortality in animals. To determine the frequency of bovine babesiosis and related risk factors, a cross-sectional study was carried out in two selected districts of East Wollega, Oromia regional state of Ethiopia. Blood sample was collected, thin and thick smears were made, and their ability to identify Babesia parasites was assessed. Anemia was evaluated using the packed cell volume. An overall prevalence of 5.2% was observed in 20 of the 384 (268 female and 116 male) animals that were purposefully chosen and analyzed to have Babesia parasites. Babesia bovis infection was found in 15 (3.91%) of the Babesia-infected animals, while Bovis bigemina infection was found in 5 (1.30%). The prevalence of bovine Babesiosis was substantially (p<0.05) correlated with risk variables, such as animal husbandry practices and previous treatment with anti-Babesia drugs. However, the prevalence of bovine babesiosis was not significantly correlated with the animals’ age, sex, breed, or body condition score (P > 0.05). Bovine babesiosis was more common in male animals (6.0%) than in female animals (4.9%). The highest incidence (6.1%) was found in old (> 7 year-old) animals, followed by mature animals (4-6 years) (5.2%), while the lowest prevalence (4.2%) was seen in young (<3 year-old) animals. Similar to other animals, the incidence was higher in cattle with low body condition ratings (7.1%) than in those with medium and high ratings (5.0%) and 1.2%, respectively. Bovine babesiosis was discovered to be pervasive in the research area and to be a serious danger to the production of cattle in general. Appropriate methods must be created and implemented in order to lessen the effect of bovine babesiosis on cattle productivity and production.