Babesiosis: Prevention and risks
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How babesiosis spreads
Babesiosis is caused by a parasite which is spread through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks (deer ticks).
Not all blacklegged ticks carry the parasite that causes babesiosis.
You may not notice a tick bite because ticks are tiny, and their bites are usually painless.
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Preventing babesiosis
There's currently no vaccine to prevent for babesiosis.
The best way to protect yourself from babesiosis is to prevent tick bites. Check your provincial and territorial public health authorities to find out where ticks are most likely to be found.
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Risks of babesiosis
You may have a higher risk of babesiosis infection if you:
- spend time outdoors in and near areas with trees, shrubs, tall grass or piles of leaves where ticks can be found
- have pets that go outdoors because they can carry ticks into your yard or home, which could increase your chance of a tick bite
- talk to your veterinarian about tick prevention for your pets
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Subscribe to the Zoonoses Bulletin
The Zoonoses Bulletin is an email subscription list that will provide you with regular updates from the Public Health Agency of Canada regarding our work on zoonoses. Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can be spread between animals and people, including those that can be spread through the bite of a tick or mosquito.
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