Latest news with #AsianLonghornedTick
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts issue warning over dangerous new insect species spreading across US: 'Managing them is not easy'
An invasive tick species from Asia is quickly multiplying across the eastern United States, and according to Patch, it's prompting concern from environmental officials. The Asian longhorned tick, first identified in the U.S. in 2017, has now been found in at least 17 states and is spreading particularly fast in southeastern Pennsylvania, where cases have surged by 150% over the last five years. Unlike most ticks, the Asian longhorned tick doesn't need a mate to reproduce. One female can lay up to 3,000 eggs, resulting in infestations so dense that wildlife officials have found hundreds of ticks on a single animal. "Managing them is not easy because of how numerous they are and how easily they can come back," Risa Pesapane, a preventive medicine professor at Ohio State University, said, per Patch. Luckily, there's no strong evidence linking these ticks to Lyme disease. However, their ability to transmit other illnesses, including a cattle disease called Theileria orientalis that causes severe anemia and fever, poses an urgent threat to food supply chains and native animal populations. Their rapid spread also puts pressure on local ecosystems. Asian longhorned ticks feed on a wide range of animals, from deer and raccoons to dogs, cats, cattle, and even squirrels and skunks. With their capacity for rapid growth and adaptability to mild, humid conditions, experts warn that they could eventually populate much of the eastern U.S. and parts of the West Coast. Invasions like this destroy biodiversity by outcompeting native tick species and disrupting predator-prey relationships that keep nature in balance. In a world already struggling with rising temperatures and shrinking habitats, the introduction of yet another aggressive species threatens to worsen existing issues. According to Patch, experts say prevention and early action are key. Pesticides can work, but only when applied directly. Even then, ticks often bounce back. The best approach is to keep pastures mowed, regularly check pets and livestock, and report sightings to local health officials. If you find a tick on you, store it in rubbing alcohol and contact your doctor or county health office. For pets and livestock, get in touch with your vet immediately. Perhaps most importantly, support efforts to protect native ecosystems. The more resilient our local wildlife and natural habitats are, the harder it is for invasive species to take hold. Should the government be able to control how we heat our homes? Definitely Only if it saves money I'm not sure No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
CBS News
13-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Asian longhorned ticks confirmed to be in Michigan, eight years after first seen in U.S.
The first detection of Asian longhorned ticks has been confirmed in Michigan, with state officials urging livestock owners to be on the alert for the pest. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development issued that report Friday, explaining that two Asian longhorned tick nymphs – a younger stage of the insect – were found through tick surveillance efforts at Grand Mere Stat Park in Berrien County. Calvin University researchers sent the specimens to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Laboratories, who confirmed the Asian longhorn connection on Wednesday. Calvin University research students have been studying the ecology and distribution of ticks in West Michigan since 2020, working with others at Michigan State University. This species, scientific name Haemaphysalis longicornis, is native to east Asia and was first detected in the United States in 2017. The light brown tick is similar in appearance to other tick species. It has since spread to 21 other states, including Indiana and Ohio. The agriculture department said while this tick can potentially carry disease to a variety of mammals and birds, "the impact to livestock (specifically cattle) is a major concern." The ticks can lay up to 2,000 eggs at a time; and a tick infestation on an animal can cause physical stress and blood loss. To prevent and alleviate problems, livestock owners are asked to regularly check their animals for ticks, follow any recommended veterinary treatment, and keep pastures clear of brush.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Asian longhorned tick threatens U.S. livestock and health
The National Veterinary Services Laboratory identified a dangerous tick species in Northeast Oklahoma in early June. The same species was also identified for the first time in St. Louis County in late February. The species in question is the Asian Longhorned Tick. See the interactive map from the USDA here The tick poses a risk to people, pets, and livestock. It's especially harmful to livestock and has been known to break out into an infestation on one animal, leading to great stress and reducing growth and production. A severe infestation on one animal can even cause the animal to die from blood loss. Yikes! Aside from its infestation capabilities, the tick also carries disease. Livestock, in particular, is at risk of catching bovine theileriosis from a longhorned tick. Bovine theileriosis is a blood-borne parasite that, when left untreated, can cause an animal to die. Outside of the US, the tick has been linked to carrying human diseases such as Japanese Spotted Fever. However, the longhorned ticks found in the US have not been found to transmit human pathogens such as Lyme disease. That's good news for now! It's been found in a lab that this tick species could become a carrier for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever This species of tick is unique in that the females can reproduce without a male. This is why they are efficient at spreading once introduced into a new geographic region. The tick was first identified in the US in 2017 and has since spread to 21 eastern states. The species was first found in Missouri in 2021. It's been identified in both the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas, and traces of the tick have been found in Greene County. A live specimen, however, hasn't been confirmed yet in Springfield. The tick has also been identified in Benton, Washington, Boone, Searcy, and Independence counties in Northern Arkansas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Invasive tick that can be deadly for cattle causing concerns among researchers
STILLWATER, Okla. (KFOR) — A heads up for cattle producers: there's a deadly tick in the United States, and researchers at Oklahoma State University are concerned. 'These ticks can be so high on a single cow that they can actually result in so much blood loss that the animal can die from that,' Dr. Jonathan Cammack, Assistant Professor at OSU and State Extension Specialist for Livestock, Entomology, and Parasitology, told Nexstar's KFOR. Dr. Cammack said the Asian Longhorned Tick, also known ALT, is native to East Asia. It was first seen in the U.S. a decade ago and has since been detected in more than a dozen states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Lyme-disease isn't the only tick-borne threat. Doctors warn these other diseases are spreading It was discovered in Oklahoma last year on cattle in Craig County. 'It's not going to have that bright white spot on it like a lone star [tick]. And they're also going to be very small, about half the size of the normal tick that we're usually expecting to see at this time of year,' said Dr. Cammack. They're also concerned with how fast the ticks can reproduce. 'They can reproduce asexually, so they don't have that added challenge of locating a mate in the environment,' said Dr. Cammack. That means a female can lay up to 2,500 eggs on one animal, which can then consume enough blood to be deadly. Now, they're hoping research can help with ideas to slow or stop the spread. 'There's a project going on at the vet school where they're collecting ticks that are suspected to be Asian Longhorned Ticks, and then they're testing them for the presence of this pathogen,' said Dr. Cammack. The pathogen is the Theileria orientalis Ikeda genotype, which can be detrimental to cattle. This year, the team is looking for new cases of the tick, and they hope Oklahoma ranchers will help them with surveillance. Dr. Cammack recommends that animals are checked regularly — maybe not daily, but more than once a year — for the tick. If you see it on your cattle, it's recommended that you call your local veterinarian. If you live in an area where the tick has become established, there may be other steps you're advised to take. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Snake season: What to do if a venomous snake bites you?
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — As the temperatures climb and many head outdoors to enjoy the sunshine, it's also waking up some slithery visitors. The Oklahoma Poison Center is already starting to see an uptick in calls. In 2024 alone, The Oklahoma Poison Center helped manage 363 snake bites across the state. 160 copperhead bites 38 rattlesnake bites 12 cottonmouth bites 102 bites from unidentified venomous snakes 34 unknown snake bites (venom status undetermined) 15 non-venomous snake bites 2 bites from exotic snakes LOCAL NEWS: OSU researching Asian Longhorned Tick that can be deadly for cattle The Oklahoma Poison Center says they do not need to know what type of snake bit you. 'Just leave it alone, get out of the area and our anti venom that we have here in Oklahoma will actually cover all venomous snakes,' said Kristie Edelen, managing director, The Oklahoma Poison Center. Edelen says to never use tourniquets, ice or extraction tools. Just head straight to the emergency room. You should also remove any jewelry or tight clothing. 'When it comes to snake bites, we have a saying that time is tissue,' said Edelen. She says that waiting too long can lead to permanent damage. The Oklahoma Poison Center says it's not just snakes you have to look out for this time of year, but also spiders. 'Probably the biggest thing that we're seeing here in Oklahoma right now is our brown recluse bites, just people specifically having things like rashes and muscle pains,' said Edelen. Scorpion stings can also happen with the warmer weather, but they're rarely dangerous. When in doubt about a bite, Edelen says the best thing you can do is call The Oklahoma Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
