The longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis): invasive exotic species that threatens animal and public health in Mexico

Authors: RODRIGUEZ-VIVAS, ROGER - Autonomous University Of Yucatan; Perez De Leon, Adalberto - Beto; OJEDA-CHI, MELINA - Autonomous University Of Yucatan

Submitted to: Bioagrociencias
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/13/2019
Publication Date: 1/17/2020
Citation: Rodriguez-Vivas, R.I., Perez De Leon, A.A., Ojeda-Chi, M.M. 2020. The longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis): invasive exotic species that threatens animal and public health in Mexico. Bioagrociencias. 12:9-18.

Interpretive Summary: Asian longhorned tick (ALT) is one of the common names for Haemaphysalis longicornis. This hard tick species is native to Asia and parts of Russia. ALT was reported for the first time in the USA in 2017. Reports from the USA showed that ALT is an external parasite of birds, pets, livestock, wildlife, and humans. Female ALT detected in the USA can reproduce without fertilization. Because of its invasive biology, ALT represents a regional threat to animal and public health in North America. In its native and invaded range outside the USA, ALT is known to transmit bacteria, protozoa, and viruses that cause morbidity and mortality among populations of domestic animals, wildlife, and humans. Cattle can die from acute anemia and other systemic dysfunctions associated with heavy ALT infestation. The potential spatial distribution of ALT in North America includes parts of Canada, the USA, and Mexico. Preparedness involves training to distinguish ALT from three other species in the same genus (H. juxtakochi, H. leporispalustris, and H. chordeilis), which occur naturally in Mexico. Pertinent federal agencies in Mexico established epidemiological surveillance of animals imported from USA, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand to mitigate the risk for the introduction of ALT. Another risk for the introduction of ALT in Mexico is the transboundary movement of suitable wildlife host across the border with the USA. Collaboration between Mexico and the USA to manage cattle fever ticks provides the opportunity to enhance initiatives by Mexico to mitigate these risks. Efforts to prevent the introduction of ALT reduce the threat to animal and public health by this invasive tick in Mexico.

Technical Abstract: Asian longhorned tick is one of the common names for Haemaphysalis longicornis. This hard tick species of the family Ixodidae is native to Asia and parts of Russia. H. longicornis was reported for the first time in the USA in 2017. Reports from the USA showed that H. longicornis is an ectoparasite of birds, pets, livestock, wildlife, and humans. H. longicornis detected in the USA can reproduce parthenogenetically. Because of its invasiveness, H. longicornis represents a regional threat to animal and public health in North America. In its native and invaded range outside the USA, H. longicornis is a competent vector of bacteria, protozoa, and viruses that cause morbidity and mortality among populations of domestic animals, wildlife, and humans. These include Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi, Theileria spp., Babesia spp., Rickettsia spp., and the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus. Cattle can die from acute anemia and other systemic dysfunctions associated with heavy H. longicornis infestation. The potential spatial distribution of H. longicornis in North America includes parts of Canada, the USA, and Mexico. Preparedness involves training to distinguish H. longicornis from native Haemaphysalis species in Mexico including H. juxtakochi, H. leporispalustris, and H. chordeilis. Pertinent federal agencies in Mexico established epidemiological surveillance of animals imported from USA, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand to mitigate the risk for the introduction of H. longicornis. Another risk for the introduction of H. longicornis in Mexico is the transboundary movement of suitable wildlife host across the border with the USA. Collaboration between Mexico and the USA to manage cattle fever ticks provides the opportunity to enhance initiatives by Mexico to mitigate these risks. Efforts to prevent the introduction of H. longicornis reduce the threat to animal and public health by this invasive tick in Mexico.