Officials say the invasive Asian longhorned tick has been found in Maine for the first time.
The tick was found in Cumberland County.
The tick was submitted through University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s passive tick surveillance program and identified by staff at the UMaine Extension Tick Lab.
UMaine says this marks the first known occurrence of the species in the state and raises important considerations for livestock care, wildlife management and public health.
“This discovery underscores the critical importance of continued tick surveillance in Maine,” said Griffin Dill, director of the UMaine Extension Tick Lab. “While this appears to be an isolated case, we are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with state and federal partners. Early detection is essential to understanding and mitigating the potential risks associated with this species.”
Native to East Asia, UMaine says the Asian longhorned tick was first confirmed in the United States in New Jersey in 2017 and has since spread through more than 20 states.
Unlike most ticks, female Asian longhorned ticks can reproduce without mating, creating infestations from a single individual and posing a unique challenge for control, according to UMaine.
The tick found in Maine was at a juvenile stage that can’t reproduce.
They feed on a wide range of hosts, including livestock, pets, wildlife and people.
In other regions, UMaine says they have been shown to transmit the cattle pathogen Theileria orientalis, which can cause significant illness.
Research is ongoing to understand if this tick species can spread the pathogens found in Maine and elsewhere in the U.S.
In response to the recent finding, state and research partners are intensifying monitoring efforts to determine whether the Asian longhorned tick is persistent in Maine and, if so, to understand its potential spread.
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry recommends these preventative measures:
- Use tick preventatives: Veterinarians should advise on effective treatments for livestock and pets.
- Conduct rigorous tick checks: Examine animals, especially ears, eyes, tails, and feet, regularly and remove any ticks found promptly and safely.
- Maintain the landscape: Keep yards and pastures brush-free and create mulch or gravel borders to reduce tick habitat.
“If you find an unusual-looking tick or suspect an infestation, don’t hesitate to report it to DACF,” said Dr. Rachael Fiske, assistant state veterinarian. “In this and every instance, early detection is key to protecting Maine’s livestock, pets, wildlife and public health.”
To report findings or for more information, contact the Maine DACF’s Animal Health Division at (207) 287-3701 or email animalhealth.dacf@maine.gov.
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