A potentially deadly tick of Asian origins, capable of transmitting fatal diseases to humans, spreads across the US concerning American health officials. The CDC issued a warning saying that the insect has already spread to eight states since its first appearance in the US about a year ago. “We’re losing this battle,” the CDC officials stated.
The so-called Asian longhorned tick was only visible in labs and quarantine in the US. That until thousands of such insects infested a pet sheep in New Jersey in 2017. Since then, this potentially deadly tick has reproduced considerably, mainly because the females can lay eggs without mating and they lay up to 2,000 eggs at a time.
So far, the US health officials confirmed that tick infested two humans, six domestic species, and six species of wildlife. However, none of the victims of this tick got infected with deadly pathogens, so CDC demanded further tests to precisely determine which diseases this insect can indeed transmit to humans and animals.
Potentially Deadly Tick Spreads Across The US
On the other hand, in their native regions across Asia, such as Japan and China, this potentially deadly tick spreads dangerous diseases, including one virus that causes a hemorrhagic fever that kills 30 percent of its victims.
“The full public health and agricultural impact of this tick discovery and spread is unknown,” stated Ben Beard from the CDC, who is the deputy director of the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases.
However, the CDC hopes to find reliable methods to stop this infestation before it’s too late. That is the first time in 80 years when an invasive species of tick has managed to bypass US quarantine and spread freely across the country. Before, for at least 15 times, Asian longhorned tick specimens were intercepted at ports.
“The problems are getting worse and worse. We’re losing this battle,” concluded Lyle Petersen from the CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases.
