ADVANCEMENT OF THE SCIENCE
TABLE 3
Species and Number of Ticks Identified From Different Hosts at Veterinary Offices or During Field Collection in Missouri, Summer 2021
Host
# of Ticks Collected
Amblyomma americanum
Dermacentor variabilis
Ixodes scapularis
Amblyomma maculatum
Haemaphysalis longicornis
Cat
61 13 17
44 10
2 0 3
15
0 0 0 6 0 0 7 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Cattle
3 8
Deer
6
Dog
2,703
646
2,039
12
Donkey
2
2
0 6 0 1
0
Horse
538
506
26
Turkey Human
7
0 8
0 1 2 0
10 67
Unknown Tick drag
45
20
805
796
3
Conclusion From tick surveillance conducted in Missouri in 2019, only four tick species of medical importance were identified: A . americanum , A . maculatum , D . variabilis, and I . scapularis . In 2021 following an expanded surveillance, however, sampling did detect the invasive species H. longicornis . The main finding of our study was the establishment of a novel tick, H . longicornis , through active state surveillance. Our find- ing is important and will aid in increasing
awareness of this tick among environmental health professionals and potentially a ected populations, especially beef farmers. Overall, our study can increase awareness of the tick species present in Missouri—including new novel species—to educate the public about safety and preventive practices, as well as pos- sibly inform the development of diagnostic and treatment protocols. We support and rec- ommend that continuous state surveillance is needed to identify existing, novel, and emerg- ing ticks and tickborne diseases.
Acknowledgment: The author appreciates Dr. David Claborn for his immense contribution to the success of this research. Corresponding Author: Henry O. Agbon- polo, Department of Housing and Neighbor- hood Health, Marion County Public Health Department, 3838 North Rural Street, India- napolis, IN 46205. Email: hagbonpolo@marionhealth.org
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Volume 87 • Number 1
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