By early 2019, Asian longhorned ticks had been detected in AR, CT, KY, MD, NJ, NY, NC, PA, VA, and WV. They can transmit bovine theileriosis and babesiosis to livestock.
Babesiosis
- High fever.
- Neurologic signs such as incoordination, teeth grinding, and mania. Some cattle may be found on the ground with the involuntary movements of the legs. When the nervous symptoms of cerebral babesiosis develop, the outcome is almost always fatal.
- Dark-colored urine.
- Anorexia.
- Animals are likely to separate from the herd, be weak, depressed, and reluctant to move.
Bovine theileriosis
- Bovine anaemia: lethargy, lack of appetite, exercise intolerance (weak cattle that lag behind the mob if moved).
- If forced to run they may stagger and gasp for breath and some may collapse and die.
- Their gums will be pale and/or yellow.
- Pregnant cows may abort and still births are common.
- Dairy cows a drop in milk production will occur.
- Death rates are highest in heavily pregnant cows.
- Calves should be closely inspected when they are 6-12 weeks old.
Treatment
- Mild cases may recover without treatment.
- Sick animals can be treated with an antiparasitic drug.
- Treatment is most likely to be successful if the disease is diagnosed early; it may fail if the animal has been weakened by anemia.
Prevention
- Tick control
- Rotational grazing
- Pyrethroid sprays
- Pour-on insecticide
