An invasive tick that can potentially transmit deadly diseases to humans continues to spread across the United States.
The Daily Mail reported that Oklahoma was the 20th state to confirm the presence of the Asian longhorned tick, which is native to Japan, China, North and South Korea and eastern parts of Russia and can transmit deadly diseases to humans and livestock.
A 2019 threat report from Public Health Ontario says that while “no pathogens of public health significance” have been detected in the ticks in the U.S., the species is known to spread thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and possibly other diseases in Eastern Asia.
“SFTSV is an emerging, hemorrhagic, tick-borne pathogen in Eastern Asia, where case fatality rates range from 6%-30%,” the Public Health Ontario report said. “The Asian longhorned tick distribution of SFTSV cases is correlated with bird migratory routes in China, Japan and South Korea, showing that birds transport these ticks over long distances”
The Daily Mail reported that no humans have died in the U.S. from an Asian longhorned tick bite, but the parasitic arachnids were blamed for cattle deaths in Ohio last year.
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The first Asian longhorned tick was found seven years ago in New Jersey and while they have yet to be reported in Ontario, they have spread across the U.S. with the species confirmed to be present in states close to the Ontario border, including New York and Pennsylvania.
The Daily Mail reported that the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection has found they carry Lyme disease and a virus that causes inflammation in the brain. Adding to the concern is that the ticks can reproduce parthenogenetically, meaning a female can produce thousands of offspring without a mate.
Public Health Ontario said measures can be taken to prevent tick bites, including covering up for outdoor activities and wearing bug repellent. They also advised check yourself for ticks after being outdoors and drying clothes at high heat.