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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Virus and Prion Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #408199
Research Project: Intervention Strategies to Control Endemic and New and Emerging Influenza A Virus Infections in Swine

Location: Virus and Prion Research

Title: Surveillance and detection of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) in protected areas from Georgia, USA

Author
item FAUSETT, ELENOR - Emory University
item OSCAR, KIRSTEIN - Israel Ministry Of Agriculture
item BELLMAN, STEPHANIE - Emory University
item LONG, AUDREY - Emory University
item ROESKE, ISABELA - Emory University
item CHENG, CHUN - Emory University
item PIANTADOSI, ANNE - Emory University
item Anderson, Tavis
item VAZQUEZ-PROKOPEC, GONZALO - Emory University

Submitted to: Journal of Medical Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/24/2024
Publication Date: 5/1/2024
Citation: Fausett, E.N., Oscar, K.D., Bellman, S., Long, A., Roeske, I., Cheng, C., Piantadosi, A., Anderson, T.K., Vazquez-Prokopec, G.M. 2024. Surveillance and detection of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) in protected areas from Georgia, USA. Journal of Medical Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjae051.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjae051

Interpretive Summary: Emerging pathogens, particularly those of zoonotic origin, are an important contributor to the rapid increase in the global burden of infectious disease. Heartland virus is a newly identified tick-borne virus in the US that may be vectored by endemic and invasive tick species. To determine areas that had competent vectors for Heartland virus, we conducted tick surveys across the State of Georgia. These data demonstrated a significant increase in a novel invasive tick species, the Asian longhorned tick, within the native ecosystem beyond farmlands and private land. The establishment of the Asian longhorned tick in the native Georgia environment could alter the interactions between native tick species and may also change Heartland virus transmission as it is a competent vector for this virus and other native pathogens.

Technical Abstract: The invasion of the Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, into the United States poses a significant ecological, veterinarian and public health threat. We conducted a comprehensive tick sampling in the State of Georgia to identify the presence of H. longicornis in the native ecosystem and identify specific habitat types that favor its establishment. Out of a combined 56 State Parks and Wildlife Management Areas surveyed, one of them was found to be invaded by H. longicornis. The increase in tick numbers between 2021-2023 points to rapid spread of H. longicornis in the environment. Our findings provide evidence of rapid establishment within the southern edge of suitability for H. longicornis within the native ecosystem beyond farmlands and private land.