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Babesia venatorum Isolated in UK Sheep for First Time

News
12/04/19 By
Merck Veterinary Manual

Babesia venatorum, a blood parasite that infects a variety of animals, has been isolated from sheep in Scotland. This potentially zoonotic is known to occur in China and Europe, but hasn't been previously identified in the UK. Researchers sampled sheep, cattle, and roe deer from two farms and confirmed infection in 15% of the sheep over a period of several months. 

Read more about the confirmation of Babesia venatorum infection in sheep in the UK in the Guardian. The original research report is available in Emerging Infectious Diseases.

More details on babesiosis in animals is available in the Merck Veterinary Manual.

Test your knowledge
Anthrax
Anthrax is a zoonotic disease affecting a broad range of species. Naturally occurring infections can cause illnesses that range from an acute, highly fatal form to a less acute and less serious clinical illness that can also be fatal. Which of the following species is most likely to develop acute fatal disease with anthrax infection?