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Haemaphysalis Longicornis : potential Impacts to Equids in the United States

This report highlights the detection of Haemaphysalis Longicornis, an exotic tick species, in the United States and discusses its potential impacts on equids. The tick is known to be a vector for various pathogens, including Theileria equi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Borrelia burgdorferi. The report also emphasizes the importance of submitting ticks found on clinically ill horses for further investigation.

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Haemaphysalis Longicornis : potential Impacts to Equids in the United States

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  1. HaemaphysalisLongicornis: potential Impacts to Equids in the United States Angela Pelzel-McCluskey, DVM, ms Equine epidemiologist Strategy and policy Usda-aphis-veterinary services October 2018

  2. Index Finding: Aug-Nov 2017Hunterdon County, NJ August 2017: sheep owner in NJ presents ticks to the county entomologist Late October/Early November: sheep examined; heavy infestation with unusual ticks Molecular ID by Rutgers then confirmed by NVSL to be Haemaphysalislongicornis First detection in the U.S. outside of import quarantine

  3. Haemaphysalislongicornis • Asian longhorned tick • 3 host hard tick exotic to the U.S. • Originally from North East Asia then expanded into Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Rim countries • Prefers meadow areas where rain>5 cm/month • Survives harsh winters • Parthenogenic: female can reproduce in the absence of a male • Creates explosive mini populations

  4. Hosts • Primarily Cattle But also: sheep, dogs, humans, yak, donkeys, hedgehogs, horses, pigs, ducks, turkeys, chickens, mynas, magpies, pheasants, budgerigar, thrush, skylark, kiwis, banded rails, sparrows, rabbits, goats, badgers, cats, deer, bears, foxes, raccoons, kangaroos, chipmunks, rats, mice, ferrets, stoats, weasels, brushtailopossums, wallaroos, wallabies, bandicoots, etc. Additional US: coyotes, groundhogs, grey fox Zheng et al 2011

  5. H. longicornisCollection at NVSL NVSL collection contains a dozen previous examples collected from 1969-2011 from imported animals Usually horses presented for entry from New Zealand or Australia

  6. Known pathogens: Powassan virus Khasan virus Tick-borne encephalitis virus Russian Spring-Summer Encephalitis Virus Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia syndrome Huaiyangshan virus hemorrhagic fever Thogotoviruses (Thogoto virus, Bourbon virus) • Anaplasmaphagocytophilum • Anaplasmabovis • Borrelia spp. • Babesiaovata • Babesia major • Babesiagibsoni • Babesiabigemina and bovis • Ehrlichiachafeensis • Rickettsia japonica • Theileriaequi • Theileriaorientalis

  7. Testing of H. longicorniscollected from NJ: • RT-PCR negative at the CDC: Powassan, Bourbon, and Heartland virus • 120 tick samples negative for: • Borreliaburgdorferi • Borreliamiyamotoi • Anaplasmaphagocytophilum • Babesiamicroti • Ehrlichiachafeensis • Ehrlichiaewingii • NJ infested sheep tested negative for: • Babesiabigemina • Babesiabovis • Theileriaspp. • Rickettsia • Anaplasmamarginale • Ehrlichiaruminatium • Coxiellaburnetii • SFTS virus (Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, a human disease).

  8. Virginia: Beef cattle premises with Theileriaorientalis • December 2017: FAD investigation conducted on Albemarle County, VA beef herd. Clinical signs consistent with anemia. • Mortality 7/120 animals • NVSL confirmed Theileriaorientalisin six animals within the herd. • March 2018: Ticks collected from orphaned calf on the farm. NVSL confirmed H. longicornis. • H. longicornisis a known competent vector for T. orientalis in New Zealand and Australia

  9. Potential impacts to equids • Stress, reduced growth and production, anemia, weight loss, severe blood loss • Competent vector for: • Theileriaequi • Anaplasmaphagocytophilum • Borreliaburgdorferi • Powassan virus • 2018 China: report of H. longicornis harboring Francisellatularensis • Unknown competency for new and emerging diseases • Encourage submission of ticks found on clinically ill horses (fever, anemia, neurologic, non-specific illness cases)

  10. Horses as Pathways of Entry for Exotic Pests • History of H. longicornisisolations from horses in import quarantine • World Equestrian Games 2018 • Hippoboscaequina(horse louse fly) from France • Collected from a group of imported horses at the Tryon International Equestrian Center • Found only in the Eastern hemisphere • Not a known vector of any disease agents • Irritating bite. Observed moving between horses at the facility. • Hyalommamarginatumticks from Portugal • Collected from 2 different imported horses at the Tryon International Equestrian Center • Found in the Eastern hemisphere and Mediterranean Basin • Known vector for B. caballi, T. equi, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, several other viruses and Rickettsia transmissible to humans • Collected only twice previously – 1966 imported horses from Spain, 1981 shipment of cork from Europe • Both host horses piroplasmosis positive; entered the event on a piro waiver

  11. Acknowledgements • Denise Bonilla, APHIS-VS • USDA APHIS VS SPRS • USDA APHIS Wildlife Services • USDA ARS • USDA APHIS VS CEAH and NVSL • Departments of Agriculture in all affected States • NJ Dept of Environment • NY State Dept of Health • SCWDS • Rutgers • CDC • NJ Public Health • Monmouth Co Vector Control • Hunterdon Co, NJ • NJ State Mosquito Control • VA Tech

  12. Angela Pelzel-McCluskey, DVM, MS Equine Epidemiologist Sheep, Goat, Cervid, and Equine Health Center Strategy and Policy USDA-APHIS-Veterinary Services Angela.M.Pelzel@aphis.usda.gov 970-494-7391

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