Invasive Tick Found in 19 States Likely to be ‘Long-Term Problem’

December 5, 2023

https://thehill.com/changing-america/sustainability/environment/4309518-invasive-tick-found-in-19-states-likely-to-be-long-term-problem-ohio-researchers-warn/

Invasive Tick Found in 19 States Likely to be ‘Long-Term Problem,’ Ohio Researchers Warn

Story at a glance

  • The invasive Asian longhorned tick has now been confirmed in 19 states.
  • The ticks are now spreading rapidly across Ohio and are believed to be responsible for the death of three cattle due to severe blood loss.
  • The ticks can carry disease, though likely not Lyme.

(WJW) – An invasive species of tick known as the Asian longhorned tick, found in at least 18 other states, has been rapidly spreading across Ohio.

According to scientists from The Ohio State University, the ticks originally arrived in 2021. The ticks are believed to be responsible for the death of three cattle due to severe blood loss, according to Ohio State researchers.

Scientists from The Ohio State University are now conducting research focused on monitoring and managing these pests.  (See link for article)

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**Comment**

This tick has been a concern from the get-go as they reproduce asexually without the need for a male and can lay thousands of eggs at one time, all hatching into females that will further lay thousands of their own eggs the following season.  They are aggressive biters and thousands can be on a single animal, draining them of their blood.  They are a real pest for cattle. So far, the only infection carried to the US is bovine theileriosis  (Theileriosis orientalis). The good news: This disease doesn’t affect humans, but it can cause severe blood loss and anemia in animals that have been infected. This malarial-like blood parasite primarily infects cattle, and diagnosing a herd can be difficult due to most presenting asymptomatically.

While there haven’t been any reported cases of tick-borne illness in humans in the U.S. due to Asian Longhorned ticks, the possibility is real.

In Asia, the ALT can transmit Dabie bandivirus, or severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) which has a 12-30% fatality rate.  In the U.S. a similar virus, Heartland Virus, is spread by Lone Star ticks and bears a close genetic relationship with SFTS.  Heartland Virus has not been found in US ALT populations but one recent study found ALT is capable of carrying and transmitting the virus to mice in a laboratory setting, warranting further research.

ALT can carry and transmit some spotted fevers but it’s unclear if they transmit to humans.

Although ALT larvae have shown the ability to contract the Lyme-causing bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi while feeding on infected mice, the transmission process likely stops there. Research indicates that borrelia is lost during the molting phase from larvae to nymphs, so it’s unlikely that ALT will significantly contribute to Lyme disease transmission.

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