Asian longhorned ticks had been first found within the U.S. in August 2017.
(CDC)
A species of tick native to the Asia-Pacific area that doubtlessly poses a illness risk to people is now situated in 9 totally different states, the Middle for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) introduced this week.
The species — which is reportedly the primary new tick species discovered within the U.S. in 50 years — is thought formally because the Haemaphysalis longicornis, or the Asian long-horned tick. The species was first found within the U.S. within the state of New Jersey in August 2017, the CDC mentioned in a information launch Thursday.
NEW INVASIVE ‘AGGRESSIVE BITER’ TICK SPREADS ACROSS MULTIPLE US STATES, SPARKS CONCERN
However the critters have since unfold. New Jersey, Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia have now “reported discovering the tick on quite a lot of hosts, together with folks, wildlife, home animals, and in environmental samples,” the well being company mentioned.
“In distinction to most tick species, a single feminine tick can reproduce offspring (1-2,000 eggs at a time) with out mating. Because of this, a whole bunch to hundreds of ticks will be discovered on a single animal, particular person, or within the setting,” the CDC continued.
In an announcement following the invention of the Asian long-horned tick in a North Carolina county, the state’s division of agriculture and shopper providers warned residents the species is “an aggressive biter” and “steadily builds intense infestations on animals inflicting nice stress, decreased progress and manufacturing, and blood loss.”
MASSIVE TERMITE MOUNDS SEEN FROM SPACE
Whereas “no dangerous germs have been discovered within the ticks collected in america,” the CDC reported, the tick has reportedly transmitted the doubtless life-threatening noticed fever rickettsiosis in Asia. The species may additionally transmit “extreme fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS),” which is “an rising infectious illness attributable to SFTS virus (SFTSV),” in line with one examine.
Scientists are nonetheless researching and monitoring the unfold of the ticks within the U.S., the well being company added.
Fox Information’ James Rogers contributed to this report.
