Below is a press release from GDA about the Asian Longhorned Tick.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) Animal Health Division has confirmed the presence of the Haemaphysalis longicornis tick (otherwise known as the Asian Longhorned tick) affecting a cow in Pickens County, GA.
This is the first case of the invasive tick identified in Georgia and the investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the tick’s presence in the area.
The Asian Longhorned tick is native to eastern Asia, and in 2017, the USDA confirmed that the tick was present in the United States. Subsequently, it’s been identified in several states in the eastern United States. GDA recommends the following advice to farmers, foresters, and those who frequent areas where ticks are abundant:
• Wear long pants, with shoes and socks – no flip flops or sandals in these areas.
• Check yourself carefully after strolling through likely tick habitats and remove any ticks immediately. If possible, have someone else check the back of your neck and other hard-to-see places.
• Work with your veterinarian and extension agent to discuss an appropriate tick strategy for your flock or herd.
• Check cattle, horses, sheep, goats and other free ranging animals routinely for any kind of ticks and remove immediately.
• While there are no approved insecticides for the Longhorned tick in the U.S., many of the commonly used permethrin preparations used in the country today are effective. Livestock producers must observe tissue withdrawal times for all insect prevention or treatment preparations used in or on food animals.
• If you find a large number of ticks on an individual animal, call your veterinarian and report it to GDAAnimal Health at 404-656-3667.
• You can find additional information regarding the Asian Longhorned Tick at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/maps/animal-health/asian-longhorned-tick