- The invasive longhorned tick has been found carrying a bacteria that can cause a deadly disease in humans in Connecticut. The insect is spreading rapidly through Virginia.
- The tick can transmit various pathogens, including one that has caused cattle deaths in Virginia.
- The longhorned tick reproduces rapidly and has spread to at least 38 Virginia localities.
An invasive tick species recently found to be carrying a potentially deadly bacteria for the first time in Connecticut has been already making a home across Virginia.
Connecticut officials confirmed May 27 the first U.S. case of a longhorned tick carrying Ehrlichia chaffeensis, a bacteria that can cause a potentially deadly disease in people: human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME).
This discovery raises concerns for Virginia, where the tick has spread to at least 38 localities as of 2023.
HME risks to humans and animals
HME symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, nausea and confusion. If untreated, it can lead to severe complications such as kidney failure and respiratory issues. While human cases have been rare, the expanding range of the longhorned tick heightens the potential for increased exposure.
In addition to HME, the longhorned tick is known to transmit other pathogens. In Virginia, it has been linked to Theileria orientalis Ikeda genotype, a risks to the state's livestock industry.
Longhorned tick spreads in Virginia
The longhorned tick, native to East Asia, was first detected in the United States in 2017 and has since been found in over 21 states.
The tick's adaptability to various hosts, including cattle, deer and other wildlife, as well as its ability to reproduce asexually — where a single female can lay up to 2,000 eggs without mating — has helped facilitate its rapid spread across the country.
Virginia has not been immune to the spread of the longhorned tick. The tick has been reported in 38 localities — a significant jump from 24 in 2019.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has confirmed the presence of the Asian longhorned tick in the following counties and cities:
Albemarle, Appomattox, Augusta, Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Floyd, Frederick, Galax, Giles, Goochland, Grayson, Greene, Loudoun, Louisa, Montgomery, Nelson, Orange, Page, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Prince William, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Staunton, Warren, Washington, Wythe
Preventive measures for ticks
As the longhorned tick continues to spread, experts warn that vigilance and preventive actions are crucial to mitigate the risks associated with this invasive species.
The following strategies are recommended to reduce tick exposure:
- When walking in grassy, wooded areas where ticks might be found, wear light-colored clothing to help spot them easily.
- Tuck pants into socks, and tuck shirts into pants.
- Walk in the center of trails and avoid areas with high grass.
- Use tick repellents on skin and clothing. The CDC recommends treating clothes with insect repellents or products containing 0.5% permethrin, a common insecticide.
- Shower within two hours of coming back indoors and tumble dry your clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks.
- Conduct regular tick checks after outdoor activities.
- Promptly remove ticks to prevent disease transmission.
- For livestock, regular inspections and consultation with veterinarians for tick control measures are recommended.