Transmission of an unidentified Theileria species to small ruminants by Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis ticks collected in the field

The transmission of a recently identified Theileria species pathogenic for sheep and goats in northern China is described. Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis nymphs which had been collected from grass in epidemic areas were able to transmit this Theileria species to sheep. The pathogen was also transmitted to sheep and goats by three batches of adult ticks collected from grass, ticks collected when moving about on sheep and ticks which were found partially engorged on sheep or goats.