Current Epidemiological Status of Bovine Theileriosis in Indian Scenario - Abstract
Tick-borne diseases of livestock are responsible for heavy economic losses globally. The protozoan parasite Theileria annulata is the causative agent of the tick-borne disease tropical theileriosis (also known as Mediterranean fever) which causes morbidity in indigenous cattle and severe lethal disease in imported high-grade cattle and crossbreds in a wide geographical area ranging from the Mediterranean littoral regions of Europe and Africa to the near and Middle East to India. Mediterranean fever is an important bovine haemo protozoan disease in an economic point of view and spreads over North Africa, Southern Europe, The Middle East and Asia. Tropical theileriosis has long been recognized as a hindrance to the development of sound dairy industry in the India and is a cause of major economic losses. Serological surveys indicated that Theileria annulata infection is widespread in the country but the disease mostly affects exotic dairy breeds and their crosses with indigenous breeds. Knowledge of the of these diseases is important for the design and implementation of control strategies Long term carrier animals which were all recovered from previous exposure to the organisms pose thread as source of infection in Hyalomma anatolicum. The prevalence rate of theileriosis is based on the geographical region and several other associated factors like tick density, climatic conditions, age, gender, management practices and immunity of the host. Theileria caused by Theileri aannulata is economically important vector borne haemo protozoan disease of livestock. Theileria is responsible for causing theileriosis resulting in death of affected animals. The disease is endemic in warmer regions, it is seasonal and the incidence is higher during summer and rainy season when the ticks have higher activity although sporadic outbreaks have been recorded year round. It is a potential killer of livestock and causes economic losses in terms of mortality, morbidity, abortion, infertility, reduced milk yield etc. The disease is underestimated in cattle due to sub clinical nature. The conventional parasitological techniques are less sensitive. More than 80
percent of infections are cryptic and undetectable by direct.This paper briefly discussed about the occurrence, control and the economic importance of Theileria spp in WesternHimalayan region of Uttar Pradesh.