By Scout Nelson
The Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSVDL) has issued a warning to livestock producers regarding a newly identified threat to cattle health in Kansas — the Theileria orientalis Ikeda parasite.
This intracellular parasite, responsible for causing theileriosis, was recently detected in calves imported from the eastern United States and is now raising concerns for cattle health statewide.
Theileriosis, caused by Theileria orientalis Ikeda, can lead to severe anemia, weakness, lethargy, and other serious conditions in cattle, including late-term abortions and, in extreme cases, death. Death rates among affected herds can vary, with some instances seeing losses of 30% or higher. The parasite has been known in the eastern U.S. for some time, but its recent detection in Kansas marks a significant concern for local livestock operations.
Transmission of the disease is primarily through vectors such as the Asian longhorned tick, multi-use needles, and certain types of blood-feeding flies. Although the primary tick vector has not been found in Kansas, it has been identified in neighboring states, increasing the risk of its spreading to Kansas cattle.
Gregg Hanzlicek, KSVDL associate director, emphasizes the importance of preventive measures to control the spread of this disease. According to Hanzlicek, the disease is not transmitted through respiratory aerosols or reproductive fluids but through the use of multi-use needles and insect vectors. Given the parasite’s resistance to available antibiotics, prevention through testing and management is crucial.
KSVDL offers a blood test that can identify carrier animals, providing a critical tool for producers, especially those importing cattle from affected regions. Hanzlicek advises testing all cattle originating from east of Kansas and suggests that testing a subset of animals might suffice for producers importing large numbers of cattle.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-digitalvision
Categories: Kansas, Livestock, Dairy Cattle