United States Department of Agriculture 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

What is bovine babesiosis? 

• Bovine babesiosis is caused by Babesia bovis

and Babesia bigemina. These are protozoal

blood cell parasites that mainly infect cattle.

• Other wild and domestic animals have shown to

be infected by PCR (testing for DNA) but do not

seem to be sources (reservoirs) for new

infections. These may include bison, water

buffalo, nilgai, and some species of deer.

• Bovine babesiosis has many other names

including Texas fever, Redwater, Tick Fever,

and Cattle Fever.

• B. bovis and B. bigemina are transmitted by

ticks, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (known as

Cattle Fever Ticks (CFTs)). Transmission may

also happen by re-use of needles or during

transfusions.

• Signs of infection can be seen 2-3 weeks after

a tick bite. They normally include fever, blood

cell death (hemolysis), and anemia. Other

symptoms/signs can include decreased

appetite, weakness, neurological and

respiratory distress, and abortion.

• Symptoms such as anemia, may cause 

mucous membranes to turn yellowish or 

pale in color. 

• Urine may turn dark or red (Redwater). A

diagnostic test is required to confirm the

presence of these pathogens.

• Cattle of all ages can be infected and

become ill, and disease severity usually

increases with age. Many animals become

lifetime carriers after infection.

• B. bovis and B. bigemina can be treated by

using antiparasitics.

• B. bovis and B. bigemina do not seem to be

human pathogens. CFTs will bite but do not

normally feed successfully on humans.

Distribution of Bovine Babesiosis

• Throughout the world, bovine babesiosis

can be found in tropical and subtropical

areas. In these areas, it can be a major

constraint to cattle production.

• Bovine babesiosis was once enzootic

throughout the southern United States.

Efforts to eradicate the ticks have pushed

CFT (and possible babesiosis) to a

permanent quarantine zone on the border of

Mexico in South Texas. Babesiosis and

CFT are endemic in Mexico.

Pasture Management and Tick

Control

You can help control the spread of bovine

babesiosis by:

• Modifying tick habitat - keep grasses cut

short and remove weeds and brush from

grazing areas.

Information Sheet

January 2024

Bovine Babesiosis
United States Department of Agriculture 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

• Restricting cattle from grazing in heavily tickinfested pastures to reduce tick exposure. 

• Routinely using Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA) approved insecticide treatments (products 

that kill ticks and flies) on animals, vegetation, and 

equipment. Use Food and Drug Administration 

(FDA) approved drugs for tick management on 

animals.

• Regularly inspecting cattle for ticks. Ticks can be 

found especially in the ears, under the tail area, 

between the hind legs, and in udder skin folds. 

• Closely checking the health and tick status of all 

newly introduced animals.

Biosecurity practices

• Protect yourself from ticks or flies by using insect 

repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil 

of lemon or eucalyptus, para-menthane diol, or 2-

undecanone.

• When handling livestock, do not use farm medical 

instruments like needles on multiple animals. 

Thoroughly clean and sanitize tools and devices 

before and after use on each animal.

• Clean, treat, and sanitize equipment before 

moving off CFT infested premises.

• If you suspect Babesia infection, experience 

livestock losses, or observe other conditions such 

as signs of anemia, report these to a local 

veterinarian immediately.

Report Suspicious Cases

Suspect cases should be reported to your State 

Animal Health Official. 

For more information, contact:

USDA, Strategy and Policy, Ruminant Health 

Center. vs.sp.ruminant.health@usda.gov

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