CDC investigates fast-multiplying Asian horned tick

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned against the spread of tick-borne diseases in the United States in its Weekly report on morbidity and mortality which was published this week.

The report warns the general public against the threats posed by the Asian Long-horned Tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) that has spread in several US states since 2017. The long horned tick of Asia is an arachnid native to Korea and other parts of East Asia. . Ben Beard, Ph.D., deputy director of the CDC's Vector-borne Diseases Division, said in a statement, "The impact on public health and agriculture of this discovery and its spread is unknown. In other parts of the world, Asian horned ticks can transmit many types of common pathogens in the United States. We are concerned that this tick, which can cause mbadive infestations of animals, people and the environment, does not spread to the United States. "

Haemaphysalis longicornis in close-up. Image Credit: AUKID PHUMSIRICHAT / Shutterstock

The first report of a tick on a sheep came from New Jersey in August 2017. Since then, eight more states, Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Virginia have been in the state. West have been reported. The reports come from 45 counties and regions and ticks have been isolated from domestic animals, farm animals, wildlife, individuals and the environment.

Ticks are able to multiply rapidly, with only one female able to produce 1 to 2,000 eggs at a time without mating. This means that an infested person will soon have a mbadive spread of ticks. Authorities and local agriculture departments need to be informed about tick species reported, according to the CDC. Tick ​​infestation can reduce livestock production by up to 25%, warns the CDC.

"We really do not know if the diseases will be spread by this tick in the United States and, if so, to what extent. But it is very important that we resolve this quickly, "said Lyle Petersen of the CDC's Division of Vector-borne Diseases. He added that it was known that ticks quickly spread diseases in humans.

Currently, the CDC works with experts at the federal, regional and local levels, including agricultural scientists, veterinarians and public health experts to understand the situation. The team is working to determine the distribution of long-horned Asian ticks in the United States, as well as the types of pathogens they can carry and the infections they can cause. Some of the infections carried by ticks as vectors include Anaplasma, Borrelia, Ehrlichia, Babesia and Rickettsia. The team is also working to develop accurate laboratory tests to diagnose these infections and develop strategies to clean tick colonies. The team would determine the frequency of tick bites and how often they spread the infection in humans. The team is developing comprehensive detection, prevention and control strategies, says the CDC.

The report says that "a wide range of interventions should be evaluated, including insecticide and acaricide susceptibility testing. Many state and federal agencies develop and disseminate information for stakeholders, including emergency hotlines, and some states identify ticks submitted by the public. "

Some advice given on the CDC website on how the general population can protect against tick infestation and subsequent infections includes the use of appropriate insect repellents such as those containing DEET, IR3535, picaridine, lemon eucalyptus oil, 2-undecanone and para-menthane-diol (PMD). The website indicates that protective clothing and equipment incorporated with permethrin must be used. It is advisable for people to take a shower within two hours of visiting a tick-infested area and to carefully inspect their bodies for ticks. All tick-infested clothing should be placed in high temperature dryers for at least 10 minutes to remove ticks present on them. Those who own dogs, pets or farm animals should consult their veterinarian to protect their pets and livestock from ticks.