(Berrien County, MI) - Michigan’s first confirmed Asian longhorned tick native to East Asia was found in Berrien County.

 

As a result, owners of livestock and pets are asked to keep closer watch of their animals for the potential disease spreading blood suckers.

 

According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the species of tick was confirmed June 11 from test results of specimens collected at Grand Mere State Park near Stevensville.

 

The first ALHT confirmed in the U.S. in 2017 at New Jersey has spread to more than 20 other states in the eastern part of the nation, including some in the Midwest like Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.

 

The concern about the potential impact on the health of animals, particularly cattle, is over the ability of the species to grow rapidly in population and totally infest an animal.

 

Female ALHT’s can produce without a mate and lay up to 2,000 eggs at a time, MDARD said.

 

Large infestations of the tick have been known to form on an animal, causing stress, reduced growth and production along with death from blood loss.  The ALHT is also capable of causing tickborne diseases affecting human and animals, according to MDARD.  

 

“By knowing this species of tick is in our state, we will increase our educational outreach to producers, animal owners and animal health professionals so we can all do our part to safeguard animal and public health, said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland.

 

According to MDARD, tracking of the tick will also occur now in other parts of the state with help from academic partners, local health departments and other state and federal agencies.

 

Female ALHT’s about the size of a sesame seed or smaller are light brown in color and can grow to about the size of a pea when full of blood.

 

ALHT’s have also been found on other animals such as goats, sheep, horses, chickens, dogs and cats.

 

The ticks collected in other parts of the country have been found to carry a pathogen that causes bovine theileriosis.  According to USDA, signs of bovine theileriosis infection ranges from weakness, loss of appetite and difficulty breathing to reduced milk production and abortion.

 

MDARD is recommending animal owners to contact their veterinarians about performing regular tick treatments.  Other preventative measures include checking for ticks around the eyes, ears, limbs, tail and toes.  Any ticks should be removed as quickly as possible. 

 

According to MDARD, owners should also keep tall grass in pastures and lawns trimmed back or mowed along buildings and property edges.