Americans have unwelcome eight-legged visitors from the East, and they’re here to stay.
The Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, is a indigenous to Asia. This tick species has already turned up in Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, where it’s been found on domestic animals and wildlife, and at least two people, according to researchers.
The tick now seems localized to Eastern states, but its range could spread. Steps are being put into place to identify and limit the tick’s spread and disease risk. Even though no U.S. cases of human disease have yet been attributed to the tick, it’s a known vector for hemorrhagic fever in humans. As such, the Asian longhorned tick is considered “a new and emerging disease threat,” according to a team led by C. Ben Beard, of the CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.
Source: HealthDay, November 29, 2018. Link.
Many state and federal agencies are developing and disseminating information for stakeholders, including development of hotlines, and some states are identifying ticks submitted by the public.
INSIGHTS: Veterinary teams and retail personnel need to remain informed about this new tick and its potential as a vector. It’s part of the social responsibility we have as animal health pros.