First confirmed case of bovine besnoitiosis in an imported bull in Belgium

Abstract

Besnoitia besnoiti is a protozoan parasite known to cause important economic losses in the cattle industry in Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean area. In the last years, (re-) emergence of the parasite has been reported in France, Germany, Hungary and Italy with in some cases, establishment of an endemic infection. In this article, the first case of besnoitiosis in Belgium in a Blonde d’Aquitaine bull imported from the south of France is described. Additionally, a brief overview of the epidemiology of the disease is provided.