Exotic Tick Species Found In Virginia: CDC

VIRGINIA — An exotic tick species has been confirmed in more American states, including in Virginia. The insect, which is native to eastern Asia, poses a "new and emerging disease threat" in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Asian longhorned tick, as it is commonly known, was initially discovered in the U.S. on a sheep in New Jersey in August 2017. Since then, the CDC says the tick has been identified in other locations in the Garden State and in eight others.

Between August 2017 and September 2018, the tick was found in Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. In total, there were 53 reports of the tick species being discovered.

According to the CDC, it was found in these parts of Virginia: Albemarle, Augusta, Carroll, Fairfax, Giles, Grayson, Louisa, Page, Pulaski, Rockbridge, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Staunton City, Warren, and Wythe counties.

Public health officials are keeping an eye on the spread of the longhorned tick, which is also known as the bush or cattle tick.

Female ticks from this species can produce 1 to 2,000 offspring without mating, resulting in massive host infestations, according to the CDC.

"The presence of H. longicornis in the United States represents a new and emerging disease threat," the CDC writes. "Characterization of the tick's biology and ecology are needed, and surveillance efforts should include testing for potential indigenous and exotic pathogens."
The surveillance efforts so far have not included testing the ticks or hosts for pathogens, and no cases of illness in humans or other species have been reported. The agricultural effects of the species' infestation is also not yet known.

The tick is an important carrier of human and animal disease agents in areas where it exists, but the CDC said there is no evidence at the moment that it has transmitted pathogens to humans, domestic animals or wildlife in the United States. However, it is a potential carrier of a number of human and animal diseases in the country, the CDC warns.

Notably, the CDC said that the tick species has been around for at least eight years.

"Ticks collected from a deer in West Virginia in 2010 and a dog in New Jersey in 2013 were retrospectively identified as H. longicornis," the agency said.

Here are tick protection tips from the CDC:

• Use EPA-registered insect repellents
• Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5 percent permethrin.
• Do a "tick check" on your body and clothing upon coming inside from possibly tick-infested areas, including the backyard. Use a mirror to look at all parts of your body.
• Put potentially tick-infested clothing in a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes.
• Shower within two hours of coming inside; this has been shown to reduce the risk of Lyme disease and may extend to other tickborne diseases. It can wash off ticks that are not attached.
• Talk to your vet about tickborne diseases in your area and prevention products for your pet.

By Patch editors Feroze Dhanoa and Elizabeth Janney

Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.