Summary: This source documents the first discovery of an invasive tick species, Haemaphysalis longicornis, infesting livestock in the United States. Researchers identified the longhorned tick on a sheep in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, noting that the animal had not traveled abroad. Because this species is a major pest in East Asia and the Pacific, its presence in a state with high rates of tick-borne illness raises significant concerns for veterinary and public health. The high number of specimens found across multiple life stages suggests that the population may be locally established. Scientists are currently investigating the geographic origin and potential spread of these ticks to nearby wildlife and other livestock.

Link to paper: 10.1093/jme/tjy006