Babesia

Ziekteverwekker

Babesia sp. is a parasite belonging to the protozoa. There are various Babesia species, including Babesia divergens, Babesia canis, Babesia odocoilei, Babesia microti, Babesia capreoli, and Babesia venatorum. A number of species are zoonotic, including Babesia divergens. The parasite is transmitted by infected ticks.

Infection with this parasite used to occur only in animals, but is now increasingly occurring in humans as well. The parasite infects red blood cells. After a tick bite, the incubation period is one to three weeks.

Gevoelige diersoorten

Carriers (reservoirs) of the various Babesia species are small rodents, roe deer, and red deer.

Symptomen dieren

Weakness and loss of energy, fever, red-colored urine (rust-colored urine), rapid breathing, and an increased heart rate.

Besmetting dieren

Animals can get infected from a bite by an already infected Ixodes tick.

Symptomen mens

Most people experience no symptoms. In exceptional cases, flu-like symptoms develop, such as chills, fever, sweating, nausea, or fatigue.

Besmetting mensen

People can contract Babesiosis from a tick bite by an Ixodes scapularis tick (also known as the deer tick) or the Ixodes ricinus tick (also known as the sheep tick), which carry the Babesia parasite. These ticks, in turn, have become infected with the parasite by feeding on infected animals. Read more information about this disease in humans on the RIVM website.

Geografische verspreiding

Babesiosis occurs in red deer in the Netherlands. It is virtually non-existent in humans in the Netherlands.

Voorzorgsmaatregelen

Read more information about preventing a tick bite on the website of the RIVM.