The Asian longhorned ticks, which were initially discovered in New Jersey in 2017, have now been detected in Oklahoma, making it the 20th state to confirm their presence. These ticks, which are native to East Asia, have since spread to other regions of the world, including Mayes County in Northeastern Oklahoma.
Asian longhorned ticks, just like other ticks, have the potential to transmit diseases to both humans and animals. However, what sets them apart from other tick species is their ability to reproduce asexually, laying thousands of eggs at a time.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, when these troublesome pests attach themselves to hosts in large numbers, they can cause considerable distress. In fact, dairy cows can experience a 25% drop in milk production after becoming a host to these ticks. Additionally, the ticks are known to spread theileria, a disease that can lead to severe anemia and even death in cows.
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry has initiated an epidemiological inquiry to determine the origin of ticks in Oklahoma and their extent of prevalence. If ranchers observe any atypical ticks on their livestock, the agency advises them to get in touch with their county’s OSU Extension Office for further guidance.