Prairie State Wire

Illinois has become the 20th state in the U.S. to confirm the presence of the Asian longhorned tick. The discovery was made during routine active tick surveillance in Morgan County, as part of an Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) grant-funded program. Additional surveillance in the area revealed two more of these invasive ticks.

Entomologists at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the identification of the Asian longhorned tick, which was first introduced to the U.S. in 2017. This marks the first known collection of this tick species in Illinois.

Describing the tick, officials mention that they are light brown and very small, often smaller than a sesame seed. The tick is concerning because it can carry tick-borne diseases that affect livestock. Dr. Mark Ernst, State Veterinarian at the Illinois Department of Agriculture, emphasized the severity, stating, “In some cases of severe H. longicornis infestation, livestock death has been reported.”

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), IDPH, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) are working in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture to monitor the situation. Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of IDPH, highlighted the importance of the active tick surveillance program in detecting the Asian longhorned tick, stating, “IDPH’s active tick surveillance program was instrumental in discovering the Asian longhorned tick in Illinois.”

While the potential impact of this tick on humans is still being investigated, authorities advise caution and have provided tick prevention tips to the public. These tips include using EPA-registered insect repellents, treating clothing with permethrin, checking for ticks after being outdoors, showering soon after outdoor activities, and consulting with a veterinarian regarding tickborne diseases in pets and livestock.

In case the Asian longhorned tick is suspected on an animal, individuals are advised to place the tick in a jar with isopropyl alcohol and contact the Department of Agriculture.

The discovery of the Asian longhorned tick in Illinois underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance and preventative measures to safeguard both humans and livestock from potential risks associated with this invasive species.