St. Louis County, Missouri – A potentially harmful, sesame seed-sized arachnid known as the invasive longhorned tick has been discovered for the first time in suburban St. Louis County, according to researchers at Washington University. This tick, deemed a significant threat by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, has caused issues for domestic animals and livestock in various parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, and several countries in eastern Asia, where it has been linked to disease transmission and animal fatalities due to severe infestations.
The identification of this tick in St. Louis County was made by WashU undergraduate researcher Sam Ko, prompting further investigation by the university to expand tick collection efforts in the region. The university has partnered with St. Louis County’s “Tick Watch STL” program, enabling residents to submit ticks for analysis to Vector Borne Disease Prevention in Olivette.
Solny Adalsteinsson, who heads the Tyson Research Center’s tick and wildlife ecology team, expressed concern over the potential presence of more longhorned ticks in the area despite the discovery of only one thus far. The initiative to enhance tick collection throughout the region aims to provide residents with essential tools for decision-making and access to support and information from experts like J. Brooke Dedrick, a vector-borne disease prevention specialist with St. Louis County’s Department of Public Health.
In Missouri, while there is currently no statewide tick submission program, residents are encouraged to report cases of tick-borne diseases and related conditions to local health agencies or the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services. The county has launched a public dashboard for the tick collection program, offering a detailed map of tick collection locations and information on various tick species, reinforcing the importance of public awareness and engagement in combating potential health risks associated with ticks.