Global scientific first as parasite found in North-East sheep
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A NEW parasite has been found in sheep in the North-East of Scotland which poses a slight health risk to humans.
It is the first time the parasite, called Babesia venatorum (B. venatorum), has been identified in animals in the UK – and the first time it has been found in sheep anywhere in the world.
Scientists from the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine collected blood from sheep, cattle and deer from areas of the North-East where tick-borne diseases have previously been detected.
DNA from the B. venatorum parasite was detected in the blood of a large number of sheep.
The sheep showed no signs of ill-health, but they have been identified as carriers of the parasite.
Dr Willie Weir from the University of Glasgow said: "The presence of B. venatorum in the UK represents a new risk to humans working, living, or hiking in areas with infected ticks and livestock, particularly sheep.
"Although we believe the threat to humans to be low, nevertheless local health and veterinary professionals will need to be aware of the disease if the health risk from tick-borne disease in the UK is to be fully understood."
People with symptoms usually become ill between one and four weeks after a tick bite.
A person infected with babesiosis gradually develops malaise and fatigue, followed by a fever.
Chills and sweats are also common symptoms. These may last from several days to several months.
Dr Weir continued: "Our findings follow the recent report of the detection of tick-borne encephalitis virus in the UK.
"Taken together, these findings signify a change in the landscape of tick-borne pathogens in the UK, and the underlying causes for this need to be investigated."
Fellow author of the study, Dr Alex Gray, said the results were surprising since scientists had previously believed that roe deer rather than sheep were the main hosts for this tick-borne parasite in Europe.
Dr Gray added: "Given our findings, ongoing active surveillance of this parasite in UK livestock would be useful to fully understand the prevalence and transmission of the disease, as such information may be critical for controlling the spread of babesiosis.
"As sheep are routinely transported large distances, including across international borders, we would also suggest the role that livestock play in transmission of the B. venatorum parasite in continental Europe be re-assessed."
In the last two decades, the parasite has been recorded extensively in China and also in Europe with two confirmed human infections in Italy.
Fortunately, babesiosis is treatable in most cases, although this depends on rapid and accurate diagnosis.
A link to the study can be found here
