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Until recently, this species was only present in China, Japan, Korea and southeastern Russia, as well as in parts of Australia, from New Zealand and Pacific Islands. Then, in 2017, the first established population of long Asian ticks was found in New Jersey, followed by detections in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Arkansas.
Although the tick is capable of causing an infectious disease, no case of illness, either in humans or in animals, has been reported in the United States.
"There is a good chance that this tick is widely distributed in North America," Rochlin said. "The fight against mosquitoes has been very successful in this country, but we are losing the battle against tick-borne diseases."
Unusual reproductive abilities
"These ticks are parthenogenetic, which means that women create diploid eggs (with a full set of mother's DNA) that turn into adults without the need for a man's DNA. ", she writes in an email. (Fonseca did not contribute to the new study.)
Of nearly 700 "hard" tick species – including the Asian horn tick – only a handful are known to be parthenogenetic. "So it's a rare but not exceptional capability," Fonseca said. This unusual method of creating clones means that it is possible that the tick causes "massive" infestations of its hosts. "We saw a very large number of cattle and dogs."
This syndrome, which also causes nausea, diarrhea and muscle pain, leads to the hospitalization of most patients and results in the death of almost one-third of those infected. This possibility is worrisome because a close relative of the disease, the Heartland virus, circulates in the Midwestern and Southern states, noted Rochlin.
"Where could he go or where could he be?
As the tick was found in very separate areas of the United States, Rochlin believes that it "has been present in the United States for several years" and that it will probably gain ground. For his new study, he modeled likely habitats in North America.
He examined climate data from Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, where ticks are established, and compared them with climate reports from North America.
The most suitable habitat for ticks included coastal areas north, to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and as far south as Virginia and North Carolina, Rochlin found. On the west coast, the coastal area where the tick is likely to survive was from southern British Columbia to northern California.
This study also showed that large areas of hinterland could also host this tick: from northern Louisiana to Wisconsin, southern Ontario and Quebec, and west to Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri.
Long-horned Asian ticks can become "very abundant" in favorable habitats, Rochlin said. "Associated with the aggressive behavior of this species and its potential for transmission of human and animal pathogens, this species represents a significant public health problem."
Putting the long Asian tick into perspective
Ms. Machtinger, who was not involved in the new research, said she liked to "put these new scary things in perspective." The Zika virus was one of them. "
Since there have been few examples of ticks feeding on humans, the biggest concern could be about cows and other veterinary issues, said Mr. Machtinger. Nevertheless, she has not fully downplayed the threat because it is the first introduction of an invasive tick that the United States has seen for 80 years, she said.
Very similar to rabbits, ticks and other native species, the southern horned tick has been "neglected for many years," said Machtinger, who believes it has been around since 2010 or even earlier. "It's the important piece: it's here, but it's been here," she said. "And that will not quickly take control of the northeast or east of the United States if it accumulates."
Although its ability to clone itself, a tick can easily produce a few thousand eggs, "our black-legged ticks can too," said Matchinger. In the end, she said, the Asian longhorned tick might not be more scary than some native species.
Machtinger advised "be diligent to protect yourself and your animals." And if you find a tick that you have never seen before, bring it to a veterinarian or university and ask for help.
"We are counting on the scientists in our community," she said. "We are relying on people who are there and find strange things about their animals that they have never seen before." [in] and say, "Where can I get this identified? Can you help me? & # 39; "
