An invasive species of tick that has been reported in additional than 20 states has been noticed in Maine for the primary time, in keeping with officers.
The Asian longhorned tick was first recognized within the U.S. in New Jersey eight years in the past. The recognizing in Maine marks the farthest northeast the tick species has been seen within the nation, consultants say.
Dill famous that early detection “is essential to understanding and mitigating the potential risks associated with this species.”
The tick in Maine was submitted via the College of Maine’s tick lab and confirmed by the college and Maine’s agriculture and forestry division, Maine officers stated. The tick that was discovered was not absolutely grown and couldn’t reproduce, and no further ticks of the identical species have been discovered within the space throughout subsequent statement.
What’s the Asian longhorned tick?
The Division of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Well being Inspection Service describes Asian longhorned ticks as “invasive pests that pose a serious threat to livestock in the United States.”
“They can form large infestations on one animal and spread diseases that impact both animals and people,” it says.
The pests — additionally known as bush, cattle or scrub ticks — are tiny and light-weight brown. Feminine ticks are capable of reproduce on their very own, and just one tick is required to populate an space.
To outlive, they connect to and feed on their hosts, which will be people, pets, wildlife or livestock.
Asian longhorned tick. Scientific title: Haemaphysalis longicornis.
Courtesy of College of Maine Cooperative Extension
Asian longhorned ticks are native to east Asia and are usually not sometimes seen within the Western Hemisphere, the agriculture division says. Whereas the primary of its sort within the U.S. was initially recognized in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, in late 2017, the tick “probably” arrived within the nation in or previous to 2010, in keeping with the agriculture division’s inspection service.
It’s unknown exactly how or when the tick got here to the U.S., “but one thing is certain: it may have entered on domestic pets, horses, livestock or people,” the inspection service says.
The place has the Asian longhorned tick been noticed?
The tick species has been noticed throughout the Northeast, Midwest and Southeast, and as far west as Oklahoma, a map from the U.S. Division of Agriculture exhibits.
Earlier this yr, the primary detection of Asian longhorned ticks was confirmed in Michigan.
Animal and Plant Well being Inspection Service/U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
What ailments do Asian longhorned ticks carry?
Species of the tick within the U.S. have been found to hold Theileria orientalis, which is a pathogen that causes illness in cattle, in keeping with Michigan’s agriculture division.
Asian longhorned ticks are additionally capable of trigger ailments corresponding to Rocky Mountain noticed fever, heartland virus and Powassan virus, though they haven’t been confirmed to hold them within the U.S. exterior of a lab setting, in keeping with Michigan’s agriculture division.
Massive infestations of the tick can hurt animals, and even kill them.
“Unlike other ticks, a single female Asian longhorned tick can produce offspring-1,000 to 2,000 eggs at a time-without mating. That means individual animals could each host hundreds to thousands of ticks,” the Division of Agriculture says. “This can cause great stress on a heavily infested animal and result in reduced growth and production. A severe infestation can kill the animal from excessive blood loss.”
The way to defend in opposition to Asian longhorned ticks
Individuals can get ticks in their very own yards and thru actions like dog-walking and gardening. Officers advise folks to verify their physique and garments after coming inside, and to take away any ticks instantly.
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention says folks can defend in opposition to tick bites by treating clothes and different objects, like boots and tenting gear, with merchandise which have 0.5% permethrin. It additionally advises utilizing sure insect repellants which might be registered with the EPA.
It may additionally assist to maintain yards and pastures freed from brush and have a border or gravel or mulch to scale back tick habitats, in keeping with officers.
For pets and livestock, common tick therapies are suggested. Officers urge animal homeowners to verify for ticks usually and seek the advice of with veterinarians about prevention strategies.
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