Prevalence of Babesiosis in Cattle in and Around Jimma Town, OromiaRegion, South Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Cross sectional study design was implemented from October 2013 to March 2014 with the aims of determining the prevalence of bovine babesiosis and its associated risk factors in and around Jimma town, southwestern Ethiopia. 390 cattle had conveniently been selected and blood collected from ear vein and jugular vein. Thin and thick smears as well as packed cell volume were measured for the detection of Babesia and anemia, respectively. Out of 390 blood samples of cattle 50 (12.8%) were infected with Babesia. Risk factors like age, sex, body condition score, breed and management system were not significantly associated with prevalence of bovine babesiosis (P>0.0) while risk factors like tick infestation, fever and packed cell volume were significantly associated with prevalence of bovine Babesiosis (P<0.05). It is concluded that the prevalence of bovine babesiosis is moderate in the area and tick vector should be controlled to control bovine babesiosis in the study area.