Asian Tick Discovered in Virginia

My note- Albermarle County covers parts of Shenandoah National Park (approx. 15,000 acres) and crosses the mountains toward Waynesboro on the west, North almost to Ruckersville & Gordonsville, South to John Boy Walton's home of Schyler, and East (straddling I-64) toward Lake Monticello. Charlottesville, VA is just about dead-center in the middle of the county.

ABC 13- WSET.com

Tick from Asia, that can carry a deadly virus, found on calf at Virginia farm

by Elizabeth Tyree

Wednesday, May 16th 2018

(Photo: New Jersey Department of Agriculture)

AA

ALBERMARLE Co., Va. (WSET) -- The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa confirmed an exotic tick was found on a cattle farm in Albemarle County.

The Haemaphysalis longicornis tick (otherwise known as the East Asian or Longhorned tick) was on an orphaned calf on a beef farm on May 14.

The Agriculture Department said the ticks are a serious pest to livestock, wildlife, pets, and humans and can spread diseases to humans and animals.

They're particularly dangerous to cattle because they transmit a disease called Theileriosis, which can cause severe anemia or death.

In 2017, VDACS said the ticks were found initially in New Jersey.

No known direct link exists from the Virginia farm to the area in New Jersey where the tick appeared on a sheep farm, they said.

Virginia state veterinary officials said they will work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other federal and industry partners to determine the extent and significance of this finding.

They ask livestock producers and owners to notify VDACS if they notice any unusual ticks that have not been seen before or if there is a large number of ticks on an individual animal.

Common ticks in Virginia include the American Dog Tick, Lone Star Tick, and Deer Tick.

Ticks can carry diseases that include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease, and Ehrlichiosis/Anaplasmosis.

Typically, ticks are seen the most in spring and fall, but can persist through all four seasons, especially in warmer weather, VDACS said.

Livestock owners also may contact VDACS’ Office of Veterinary Services at 804.786.2483.

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