Babesiosis is an infectious disease caused by protozoa of the genus <i>Babesia</i> and characterized by a febrile illness and hemolytic anemia but with manifestations ranging from an asymptomatic infection to a fulminating illness that can result in death.

Paralysis of voluntary muscles means loss of contraction due to interruption of one or more motor pathways from the brain to the muscle fibers. Although the word paralysis is often used interchangeably to mean either complete or partial loss of muscle strength, it is preferable to use paralysis or plegia for complete or severe loss of muscle strength, and paresis for partial or slight loss. Motor paralysis results from deficits of the upper motor neurons (corticospinal, corticobulbar, or subcorticospinal). Motor paralysis is often accompanied by an impairment in the facility of movement.