Babesia are malaria-like parasites transmitted by blood feeding ticks. Infection with Babesia microti causes humans to become anemic, experience spiking fever and chills, and exhaustion. In some cases, the infection can be fatal. This 3 minute video demonstrates the life cycle of Babesia microti, starting in the blood of white-footed mice. Follow the parasite as it is ingested by deer ticks, and finally is transmitted to humans through tick saliva.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOakxoorjoQ
To learn more about tick bite prevention and to see more funky graphic movies about ticks, please visit www.TickEncounter.org
I've never seen any videos about ticks that are as well done and graphic as these. Very close up footage of ticks emerging from their eggs, increasing in size after their first blood meal, and burrowing their suckers into a host. Gross but educational.
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