Download Babesia gibsoni in dogs (Canis familiaris) and dog semen - Import risk analysis (February 2003)

This document is a qualitative analysis of the biosecurity risks posed by Babesia gibsoni in dogs (Canis familiaris) and their semen imported into New Zealand.
B. gibsoni is a tick-transmitted blood borne parasite of wild and domestic dogs. The tick Haemaphysalis longicornis, which is known to be capable of transmitting the disease, is found in New Zealand. The disease is characterised by lethargy, fever and haemolytic anaemia. Treatment is not effective in eliminating the parasite, and recovered dogs commonly become chronic carriers, thereby posing a source of infection for other dogs and ticks.
There is no evidence that semen poses a risk of introduction of B. gibsoni. Safeguards are recommended to manage the risk of introduction of B. gibsoni in imported dogs.