U.S. Border Arrivals Carrying Unwanted Hitchhikers: Invasive Ticks
In a recent study published in the journal iScience, researchers from Connecticut's Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases have identified several cases of nonnative ticks entering the United States via travelers in recent years. The study details seven separate incidents, raising concerns about the potential health risks these ticks pose to both travelers and the general population.
One of the ticks, R. amblyommatis, is related to known tickborne germs and is suspected to possibly cause disease in people. Two other nonnative ticks, both members of the species Amblyomma mixtum, carried the bacteria Rickettsia amblyommatis. This bacteria can cause a disease known as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, a serious illness that can be fatal if left untreated.
The Asian longhorned tick, discovered in New Jersey in 2017, is another concern. Despite efforts to curtail its presence, the tick has since spread to nearly half of the country. If any one of these nonnative ticks ends up released into the environment unintentionally, there is a potential they could start establishing populations and expanding.
Some of the other ticks identified, such as Ixodes ricinus, also carry human diseases in their native environment. Outside of its human impact, Amblyomma mixtum ticks are dangerous to livestock, capable of causing massive infestations and spreading other diseases.
To monitor and control the introduction of exotic ticks into the United States by travelers, authorities implement close monitoring at ports of entry and prompt interception of animals that might be carrying nonnative ticks. Public health messaging encourages personal protection measures against ticks, and tick testing laboratories, such as the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) Tick Testing Laboratory, provide identification and tracking of tick species.
Collaboration among government agencies, veterinary groups, and public health officials is also essential to monitor tick spread and conduct research to improve control measures. Education of clinicians to distinguish native versus exotic tick species is crucial to improve reporting and containment efforts.
Despite these measures, Molaei notes that Connecticut's lower travel activity may mean higher risk of nonnative tick introductions in other areas of the U.S. A new case of a nonnative tick was identified within Connecticut this month, highlighting the ongoing nature of this public health concern.
Molaei advises travelers to remain alert and perform a thorough tick check before boarding a plane, including inspecting luggage and clothing. The researchers warn that these introductions of nonnative ticks are a serious public health concern, likely happening all across the country. They argue for increased resources to surveil and mitigate invasive tick threats.
[1] Molaei, M., et al. (2021). OneHealth approach to monitoring and controlling the introduction of exotic ticks into the United States by travelers. iScience. [2] Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. (2021). Tick Testing Laboratory. Retrieved from https://www.ct.gov/caes/cwp/view.asp?a=3162&q=608260 [3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Ticks. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html
- The identification of nonnative ticks entering the United States via travelers, as detailed in a recent study published in iScience, signals a potential future health risk for both travelers and the general population.
- Some nonnative ticks, such as R. amblyommatis, have the potential to cause disease in people, while Amblyomma mixtum ticks also pose a threat to livestock and are capable of spreading other diseases.
- Authorities at ports of entry are implementing close monitoring and prompt interception of animals that might be carrying nonnative ticks, while public health messaging encourages personal protection measures and tick testing laboratories, like the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) Tick Testing Laboratory, provide identification and tracking of tick species.
- Collaboration among government agencies, veterinary groups, and public health officials is essential to monitor tick spread and conduct research to improve control measures, with education of clinicians to distinguish native versus exotic tick species being crucial to improve reporting and containment efforts.
- To minimize the risks of nonnative ticks being introduced into different areas of the US, Molaei advises travelers to remain alert, perform a thorough tick check before boarding a plane, and inspect luggage and clothing.
- The researchers argue for increased resources to surveil and mitigate invasive tick threats, as these introductions of nonnative ticks are a serious public health concern, likely happening all across the country, with continued vigilance required.
