Asian Tick Spreading Rapidly In New York, Report Says

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — An Asian tick capable of reproducing at remarkable speed and gorging on so much blood that it kills itself has been found spreading in the New York City area. It's the first new species of tick to be found in the U.S. in 50 years, the New York Times reports.

The longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, was first seen infesting the ear of a sheep in Hunterdon County, NJ. It has since been found in many suburban areas surrounding New York City, including in Westchester County, as was announced in July.

In Asia, the species carries a virus that is fatal for 15 percent of its victims. No human disease has yet been found in the insects discovered in the U.S, though health experts told the New York Times they are concerned.

Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherelita Amler, MD, advised county residents to protect themselves, their farm animals and their pets against ticks, because more research is needed to determine whether this new species of tick can transmit disease to humans here in the U.S. as it has in other parts of the world.

Female longhorned ticks can lay hundreds of fertile eggs in one sitting without mating, the newspaper reported.

Tick prevention and removal tips are available at www.westchestergov.com/health and include:

While hiking, working, or spending time in wooded areas:

• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect against ticks other biting insects.
• Check for ticks often while outdoors and brush off any ticks before they attach.
• Perform a full body check multiple times during the day, as well as at the end of the day to ensure that no ticks are attached.
• Consider use of repellents containing DEET, picaridin or IR3535, following label instructions.

If you have been bitten by a tick of any kind, contact your health care provider immediately if you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms.

The full New York Times report can be found here.

Photo caption: Top row: black-legged/deer tick nymphs and adults; middle row: poppy seeds; bottom row: nymph and adult longhorned ticks. Photo credit: NYS Department of Health.