[A Babesiosis Case in February in Ankara]

Bovine babesiosis is a widespread disease occurring throughout tropical and subtropical regions and causes serious economical losses. Transmitted by ticks, Babesia species attract attention as the cause of disease and parallel the seasonal activity of ticks, in spring-summer months when temperatures increase. Ticks, that transmit the disease, belong to the Ixodidae family (pasture ticks-hard ticks) and affect cattle that go out to pasture during the warm season. In this case, babesiosis was reported from a barn in Ankara, the temperatures had decreased to under 0 degrees C and it was snowing in February. The cattle hadn't been in a pasture for the past 3 months.