Estimación de pérdidas económicas causadas por Trypanosoma vivax en un rodeo lechero de Argentina

In Argentina, bovine trypanosomiasis is caused by Trypanosome vivax. Outbreaks of the disease were first described in beef cattle at the Formosa Province in 2006 and in dairy herds from the central area of Santa Fe Province, during the summer and autumn of 2017. Outbreaks were characterized by diarrhea, decay of body condition, severe drop of milk production, abortions and death. A herd with 220 dairy cows, in which the identification of the disease was belated, reported 17 abortions and 7.5% of deaths. The outbreak was temporarily stopped by treatment of the whole herd with diminazene. The economic impact of the outbreak, considering abortions, treatments, culling of cows and death, achieved US$ 58,802. Early treatment of all cattle would be cost-effective given the severe economic impact caused by the disease when control measures are delayed.