Redwater fever is a disease of cattle - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question c - 2016
Question c
Redwater fever is a disease of cattle. Briefly outline how redwater fever can spread in a cattle herd.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Redwater fever is a disease of cattle - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question c - 2016
Step 1
Rough grazing or long grass
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Answer
Ticks often thrive in rough grazing or long grass areas. These ticks can be infected and play a crucial role in the transmission of redwater fever.
Step 2
Tick bites and blood transmission
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Answer
Ticks suck blood from infected cows. The blood they ingest contains the Babesia parasites, which are responsible for the disease.
Step 3
Infection of healthy cattle
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Answer
When a tick bites another healthy cow, it transfers the Babesia parasites from the infected blood into the healthy animal. This leads to the infection of the new host.
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