Asian Ticks Spreading Rapidly In Virginia, Report Says

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

The long-horned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, was first seen infesting the ear of a sheep in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and has since been found in many suburban areas surrounding New York City, the report said. On Tuesday the Maryland Department of Health said the longhorned tick has been found in eight states — New Jersey, West Virginia, Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania and now Maryland.

Experts say the longhorned ticks found in the United States — including the tick confirmed in Maryland and those in Virginia — have not been found to carry infectious pathogens.

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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.

Female long-horned ticks can lay 800 to 2,000 fertile eggs at one time without mating once it feeds on a host, the health department says. The longhorned tick — also called the bush tick — feeds on livestock, poultry, wild birds, pets, small mammals and humans.

People are urged to use repellants and check themselves for ticks after being in the woods or walking through long grass.

Ticks are usually found in tall grasses, meadows, pastures and wooded areas. Protect yourself, your family, livestock and pets from tick bites by following these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.
• Use products that contain permethrin on clothing. Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. It remains protective through several washings. Pre-treated clothing is available and may be protective longer.
• The Environmental Protection Agency has an online tool to help you select the repellent that is best for you and your family.

Avoid ticks by staying on walking paths, trails, or pavement. In woodlands or grassy areas wear long pants that you tuck into your socks and light colored clothing so you spot ticks as they move. Apply repellents. Put your cloths directly in a clothes dryer when you get home; the heat will kill ticks.

Inspect yourself, your family, and your pets thoroughly when you get home and when taking a shower. A thorough inspection may involve enlisting a helper to view those "hard to see" areas.

Remove ticks right away by firmly grasping it as close to your skin as possible using a pair of fine forceps or tweezers and slowly, steadily pull the tick out. Cleanse the area with antiseptic.

• Bathe or shower within two hours to wash off and more easily find ticks that are crawling on you.
• Conduct a full-body tick check using a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body upon return from tick-infested areas. Parents should check their children for ticks under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and especially in their hair.
• Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended. Cold and medium temperature water will not kill ticks effectively. If the clothes cannot be washed in hot water, tumble dry on low heat for 90 minutes or high heat for 60 minutes. The clothes should be warm and completely dry.

The full New York Times report can be found here.

Photo of East Asian tick courtesy of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture