Tick-borne diseases pose a serious threat to cattle health. Two major diseases in this group are theileriosis and babesiosis. Both spread through infected ticks and cause heavy losses in livestock.
Theileriosis mainly results from Theileria annulata in India. Hyalomma ticks transmit this parasite. Infected cattle develop high fever, anaemia, and swollen lymph nodes. In severe cases, the disease leads to death.
Babesiosis arises from Babesia species such as Babesia bigemina. Rhipicephalus ticks carry this pathogen. The parasite destroys red blood cells. As a result, animals suffer from fever, weakness, and dark-coloured urine.
Both diseases show high prevalence in tropical and subtropical regions. In India, they remain common in many dairy and draught cattle populations. Crossbred animals often face greater risk than indigenous breeds.
Climate factors strongly influence the spread of these diseases. Temperature and humidity control tick survival and reproduction. Warm and moist conditions allow ticks to thrive. Consequently, disease cases rise during and after the monsoon season.
Changing rainfall patterns also play a role. Irregular rains create new breeding sites for ticks. Moreover, rising temperatures extend the active period of ticks across larger areas.
Climate change therefore increases the risk of outbreaks. Longer warm seasons help ticks expand into new regions. In addition, higher temperatures speed up the parasite’s development inside the tick.
Farmers and veterinarians must monitor these climate linkages closely. Better understanding of weather patterns can improve early warning systems. Effective tick control and timely treatment remain essential for protecting cattle health.
CMP Bio World 