Asian Longhorned Tick Found in Three Areas of Missouri, Seven in Ohio
Invasive pest is of concern to cattle producers.
University of Missouri (MU) and Ohio State University (OSU) researchers are tracking the invasive Asian longhorned tick, which causes weight loss, lost pregnancies and even death in cattle.
Adult female longhorned tick. [Photo by James Gathany, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.] |
Researchers from the MU College of Veterinary Medicine found the tick on a Linn County pasture in August 2022. The finding marks the northernmost appearance of the tick in Missouri. It also appeared in June 2021 near Springfield.
In Ohio, ticks — and the diseases they carry — are on the rise and will likely continue to increase.
For example, 20 years ago, the American dog tick was the only tick in Ohio that was of medical importance to humans, companion animals and livestock, says Tim McDermott, an educator with OSU Extension. Now, there are five ticks in Ohio that are of concern: the American dog tick; the blacklegged tick (also known as the deer tick); the lone star tick; and most recently, both the Asian longhorned tick and the Gulf Coast tick, both of which were first confirmed in Ohio in 2020.
“In fact, we are also up to seven counties in Ohio with Asian longhorned tick as of right now, including Franklin County,” he says. “We will be closely monitoring to see if we add any new Ohio counties with Asian longhorned ticks in 2023.
“We have seen the first case of disease from this tick in Ohio when a beef cow was vectored theileria, a protozoal parasite, last summer,” he continues.
The danger to cattle
Found in 17 states since 2017, the longhorned tick is a significant concern for cattle producers, says Rosalie Ierardi, an anatomic pathologist at the MU Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. Hundreds of the ticks can attach to a single animal, causing irritation and significant blood loss.
Photo of nymph and adult female Asian longhorned ticks, top view. [Photo courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.] |
Ierardi says the tick can spread quickly. Females produce up to 2,000 eggs at a time. Since females can reproduce without mating with males, a single female can introduce a population of ticks into a new area.
The biggest reason veterinarians are concerned about this tick is that it transmits a parasite of cattle, Theileria orientalis Ikeda, which destroys red blood cells. Symptoms include jaundice, weakness and spontaneous abortions. The symptoms closely resemble those of bovine anaplasmosis, which is widespread in Missouri. A blood test is needed to tell the two diseases apart.
“Currently, there is no approved treatment for Theileria orientalis Ikeda,” says Ierardi. “Management typically focuses on reducing tick numbers and minimizing the impact of stress and other health issues that may affect a cow’s ability to mount a strong immune response.”
Producers can reduce risk by keeping cattle away from wooded areas and other habitats where ticks live, and clearing weeds and brush regularly. Consider inspecting cattle for ticks during handling events, says Ierardi. Livestock markets may provide opportunities for spread, so checking and/or treating new introductions is especially important. For specific herd health advice, consult a veterinarian.
Native to Korea, China, Japan and eastern Russia, the longhorned tick has been well-established as an invasive species in Australia and New Zealand since the 1950s.
The longhorned tick will continue to spread within North America in the coming years, leading to increased transmission diseases to cattle and possibly also to humans, according to Ierardi’s doctoral adviser, Ram Raghavan.
Raghavan, an MU professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the School of Health Professions, has tracked the spread of ticks in the United States for more than 15 years. He predicted which areas of the United States would be suitable for establishment of the invasive longhorned tick in a 2019 study. This has been supported by real-world data during the last several years.
Take precautions to prevent tick bites
Like other ticks, the longhorned tick can easily travel unnoticed on livestock, humans and pets. Hosts include cattle, deer, dogs, humans, raccoons, opossums and other domestic and wild animals.
Although the longhorned tick transmits several human diseases in the regions where it originated, there is no evidence at this time that they transmit any human diseases in the United States, says Ierardi. Laboratory studies show that the tick can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever; researchers are studying the tick closely to learn more about how to manage this potential risk.
To prevent tick bites when in areas where ticks might be active, McDermott recommends that you do the following:
- Wear light-colored clothes, including a long-sleeved shirt tucked into your pants and long pants tucked into your socks or boots.
- Apply a tick repellent according to label instructions.
- Wear footwear and clothing that have been treated correctly with permethrin. These can be purchased through many outfitters and clothing companies.
- Do frequent tick checks of your body while outside and do a thorough inspection at shower time.
- Protect your pets with an anti-tick product recommended by a veterinarian.
- Keep dogs on a leash, and avoid allowing them into weedy areas.
If you find a tick attached, do the following:
- Do not crush or puncture it.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible using pointy tweezers or a tick removal tool. Pull straight up and out with steady, even pressure.
- Thoroughly wash the bite site, your hands and the tweezers or removal tool with warm soap and water.
- Place the tick in a container with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. Record the day the tick was likely to have attached.
- Take the specimen with you to a healthcare professional if you develop flu-like symptoms, a rash, or anything that is unusual for you.
“If you think you might have been exposed to a tick bite, contact your physician right away to get a diagnosis,” McDermott said. “It’s very important to receive the appropriate treatment as soon as possible.”
More information on ticks can be found at Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases, and Asian Longhorned Ticks in Ohio, both of which are Ohioline fact sheets. More information related to tick safety can also be found at u.osu.edu/bite/ticks.
MU Extension publications include:
- Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, https://extension.missouri.edu/ipm1032 and
- Control of Anaplasmosis in Missouri, https://extension.missouri.edu/g7705.
Information about the longhorned tick from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/cattle-disease-information/cattle-vector-borne-diseases.
Editor’s note: This article is compiled from a University of Missouri news release, “Longhorned Tick Found in Three Areas of Missouri,” and an Ohio State University news release, “Ohio State Expert: Expect to See More Ticks Statewide This Season.”
