Transboundary Emerging and Exotic Animal Disease/ Exotic Animal Disease Practice Exam

What disease might a colorful orange and black tick found on a cow carry?

1. African swine fever

2. Heartwater

3. Equine babesiosis

4. Bovine babesiosis

The correct answer is: Heartwater

A colorful orange and black tick found on a cow is most likely associated with Heartwater, a disease caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia ruminantium, which is transmitted primarily by ticks of the genus Amblyomma. Heartwater primarily affects ruminants, including cattle, and is characterized by neurological symptoms, high fever, and sometimes sudden death. The characteristics of the tick being described align with certain species known to be vectors for Heartwater, which is particularly relevant in regions where the disease is endemic. This makes the option related to Heartwater the most pertinent in the context of a tick found on a cow. Other diseases listed, such as African swine fever and equine babesiosis, are not transmitted by ticks to cattle, so those choices do not align with the disease-carrying potential of the specific tick described. Bovine babesiosis, while also a tick-borne disease that affects cattle, is typically associated with different types of ticks, such as Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus. Therefore, the tick in question being orange and black makes Heartwater the most relevant and accurate connection.