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Babesia Infection

June 9 , 2026 15 hrs 0 min 38 0

Two Asiatic lion cubs in Gir National Park, Gujarat, died due to suspected Babesia infection.
Babesia infection (Babesiosis) is a tick-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia.
The parasite infects and multiplies inside red blood cells (erythrocytes).
It spreads mainly through infected ticks such as Ixodes, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor and Haemaphysalis.
Symptoms include fever, anaemia, jaundice, respiratory distress and destruction of red blood cells.
Babesiosis is a zoonotic disease and can infect humans through infected tick bites or contaminated blood.