The Asian longhorned tick reached 17 states by last fall. In the United States, the tick has been found in or near counties with large horse, cattle and sheep populations. They do not discriminate however and will use a human or a pet as a host, just the same as livestock or wildlife.
The Asian longhorned tick is known to carry the virulent Theileria orientalis Ikeda genotype in the U.S. Cattle infected with T. orientalis show symptoms similar to anaplasmosis, including fever, anemia, jaundice and lethargy. The disease causes poor thrift, abortions and up to five percent death in affected animals. However, most of the cattle that contract the disease appear to be asymptomatic or minimally affected.
Calves are at the most risk to be infected with T. orientalis for which there is no treatment beyond supportive care. . . “ – Kevin Lahmers DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP
Source: Bovine Veterinarian, March/April 2022. Link. Lahmers shared that when clinical disease is first detected 75 – 100 percent of the herd is positive. So, some herds can have T. orientalis without anyone knowing it.
Podcast: T. orientalis and the Asian Longhorn Tick, Have you heard? AABP podcast, September 6, 2021. Link.
INSIGHTS: This is sound information to share with team members and especially with cattle producers busy with calving this spring.