Another biosecurity threat has hit some part of Mzansi, with redwater disease causing havoc in provinces like the Free State and Mpumalanga. One farmer lost 26 cattle to the disease.
Redwater disease, a tick-borne illness caused by the babesia parasite, leaves farmers with devastating financial losses and heartbreak.
A killer disease for livestock
According to Dr Hanri Bester-Cloete, state veterinarian at the Bloemfontein provincial veterinary laboratory, two forms of the disease are present in South Africa, African Redwater and Asiatic Redwater.
“These parasites enter the red blood cells, multiply and then cause the cell to lyse and then release new parasites, which each enter a new red blood cell. If this continues without treatment, the animal will lose a lot of blood and eventually die from anaemia,” she said.
The high cost of redwater disease is tragically exemplified by Itemeleng Ramafoko, a cattle farmer in Lydenburg, Mpumalanga. Ramafoko lost six calves and two pregnant cows within a short period due to the disease.
“It was a huge blow. Seeing the negative impact on my production was very difficult. The first sign I noticed was that the young cows were bleeding slightly, which indicated redwater disease. I contacted my veterinarian, who confirmed the diagnosis,” he said.
While these diseases are not state-controlled due to their lack of impact on human health or international trade, Bester-Cloete highlights the importance of individual responsibility.
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“The Animal Diseases Act places the onus on animal owners to prevent infections and their spread. Effective tick control measures and vaccination protocols, as advised by veterinarians, are critical for disease prevention,” she said.
Bester-Cloete emphasised two crucial strategies: “Effective tick control, since ticks transmit the disease, controlling their populations is essential. Vaccination – vaccines are readily available and offer protection against redwater. Establishing a regular vaccination programme with a veterinarian is vital,” she said.
Preventative measures
Dr Sello Maboe from Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), acknowledges the prevalence of redwater disease in South Africa and highlights the importance of managing tick populations and implementing vaccination in high-risk areas. OBP offers vaccines for both forms of the disease, providing options for cattle producers to protect their herds.
“Eliminating all ticks completely is unrealistic. However, farmers can manage redwater by controlling tick populations and vaccinating in high-risk areas,” Maboe said.
According to Maboe, collaboration between farmers and veterinarians is essential in developing region-specific control programmes to safeguard herds and livelihoods.
“Despite the challenges posed by redwater disease, proactive measures such as tick control and vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of outbreaks and mitigate the devastating impact on cattle farmers,” he said.
In response to a severe case where a farmer lost 26 cattle due to the disease, the Free State department of agriculture said, “The problem with this case is that the disease is not state-controlled.”
Nonetheless, the department is assisting affected farmers and conducting tests to address the outbreak.
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