Invasive, disease-carrying tick found in Maine, the farthest northeast it has been spotted

PORTLAND Maine AP Researchers have authenticated the presence of an invasive species of tick in Maine for the first time marking the farthest northeast in the United States the pest has been discovered The University of Maine and state conservation representatives commented Monday they proven the presence of the Asian longhorned tick in the state in July The tick is native to east Asia where it is capable of spreading tickborne infections such as spotted fever The tick was first certified in the United States in New Jersey in and it has since spread to more than states clustering mostly around the eastern third of the country Exactly how the tick arrived in the country isn t certain but residents healthcare bureaucrats have cited realizable routes of entry including on pets and livestock This discovery underscores the critical importance of continued tick surveillance in Maine mentioned Griffin Dill director of the UMaine Extension Tick Lab While this appears to be an isolated development we are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with state and federal partners The tick specimen was not yet an adult and it was collected in the southern part of the state the lab revealed in a declaration Follow-up surveillance didn t turn up any additional specimens in the surrounding area the lab announced Asian longhorned ticks feed on numerous animals including cattle and humans They pose a challenge for pest control personnel because female ticks of the species can reproduce without mating which means a single individual can create an infestation the lab reported The specimen revealed in Maine could not reproduce yet because it was a juvenile the lab declared Research is still going on to determine the tick species ability to spread pathogens in Maine and elsewhere in the U S the lab explained Ticks are a major inhabitants healthcare concern in the Northeastern U S where another species the blacklegged or deer tick spreads Lyme illness In the meantime the residents can prevent tick bites by taking attempts such as conducting rigorous checks for them avoiding overgrown vegetation and wearing protective clothing community physical condition leaders disclosed