While there have been no confirmed sightings of Asian longhorned ticks in the local listening area just yet, the most prevalent disease they are known for spreading, theileriosis, may already be here.
That was a main takeaway from an informational seminar organized by the Lyon County Extension Office on the subject Tuesday afternoon. The main presenter for the seminar was Kansas State Research and Extension Livestock Entomologist Dr. Cassandra Olds, who says it is very likely that many local ag producers already have cases of theileriosis within their herds, it just may not be apparent yet.
As for the Asian longhorned tick, known to cause the disease in livestock, Dr. Olds says they have yet to receive any confirmed identification of one within the area, but “they’re coming.”
Dr. Olds says that while this is a cause for greater vigilance among livestock owners, it is not a cause for panic, noting that there has likely been widespread misinformation about the disease and the tick, which she addressed during her interview with KVOE News Tuesday. Firstly, Dr. Olds says theileriosis, contrary to the belief of some, is not a “death sentence” for livestock.
As for the marketability of infected livestock, Dr. Olds says the meat from cattle is still good even if the cattle have contracted and recovered from the disease. That said, she says transparency among buyers and sellers is extremely important.
In addition to the effects the tick can have on livestock, it can also cause some illnesses in humans; however, Dr. Olds says they are not rare complications, noting that any disease a human can contract from this specific species, they can also contract from almost any other.
As for precautions, Dr. Olds says there is also no new ground here; for humans, it just requires being vigilant and thoroughly checking your body once you are done in the field each day.
If you do find a tick on yourself or your livestock, Dr. Olds recommends that you remove it, but not burn or destroy the insect.
For more information, visit entomology.k-state.edu.
