Australian Paralysis Tick
(Ixodes holocyclus) (Ixodes cornuatus)

This tiny creature (1cm diameter) has caused death. It requires a number of feeds of animal blood to reach maturity.

A tick may come in contact with a human host, and buries its mouth into the skin of the victim, usually in a moist place such as folds of the body, behind the ears, under the eyelids. Only female ticks are dangerous.

During the time that the tick is feeding on its host, it secretes a poisonous saliva which may cause severe paralysis leading to death. After visiting tick country, all family members, including pets should be checked for ticks.

Cattle ticks do not infect humans (the late S. Sutherland). A tick antitoxin is available.

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