Rare, Dangerous Tick Species Confirmed In Pennsylvania

Officials in Pennsylvania are urging residents to take precautions after confirming the presence of a rare, invasive tick in the state.

The Asian tick, also known as the longhorn tick, was discovered on a deer in Centre County, Pennsylvania authorities confirmed Tuesday. It is also present in several New Jersey communities, including the Pennsylvania-bordering counties of Mercer and Hunterdon.

The invasive species congregates in large numbers and can cause anemia in livestock, officials with the state Department of Agriculture said. But cattle, pets, small mammals, birds and humans are all potential hosts.

This type of tick is a "serious" pest to livestock, as well as wildlife, pets and humans, authorities in New Jersey said at the time the tick was discovered there. This species can carry several bacterial and viral diseases, and has been associated with spotted fever rickettsioses, health officials said. So far, ticks examined in the United States do not carry any infectious pathogens, authorities confirmed.

In July, authorities in New Jersey confirmed one of the ticks had been located on a child; testing revealed no pathogens were in the insect.

The Asian tick infests host animals in dense clusters of numerous ticks. Female Asian ticks reproduce asexually, so a single tick can reproduce and lay 2,000 eggs after feeding on a host, information from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture said.

Native to East and Central Asia, the tick was originally identified in the United States in New Jersey, where it was found in large numbers in sheep in Mercer County in 2017. It has also been found in Arkansas, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia and Virginia.

The Asian tick is easily confused with other tick species' its distinctive “horns” may not be visible without a microscope. The tick is dark-brown and grows to the size of a pea when fully engorged, according to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

Here is a photo:

“Even experts have difficulty distinguishing among tick species, so it is important to take precautions to protect pets, livestock and family members from becoming a host for ticks of any kind,” State Veterinarian Dr. David Wolfgang urged. “Scientists don’t yet know how this species will adapt to the North American climate and animal hosts, but we know it survived New Jersey’s winter and has infested sheep and cattle in this region.”

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said the discovery of the rare species is a reminder to protect your pets and family members against ticks.

“Ticks can be found in your own backyard, so it is essential to wear long sleeves and pants, use insect repellant containing DEET to help keep you safe from ticks and the diseases they carry. It is also important to check yourself and your pets for ticks, as pets can bring ticks indoors," Levine said.

The following tips have been offered from experts:

• Examine animals on a regular basis, and check for ticks after being outside to prevent tick bites and disease transmission.
• Livestock producers and pet owners should consult their veterinarians to develop tick prevention and control appropriate to their specific animals.
• To reduce tick habitat, maintain a nine-foot distance between lawn or pasture and wooded areas, keep grass height low, and remove weeds and brush bordering wooded areas.

Image NJ Dept of Agriculture