Theileria orientalis Ikeda confirmed in Kentucky cattle

Theileria orientalis Ikeda carried by an invasive species of tick has killed cattle in two Kentucky counties, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture is alerting farmers of the emerging risk to their herds.

The illness does not affect people. “Though a threat to cattle, the disease is not a threat to human health,” the agriculture department’s news release stated. “Humans cannot become sick from contact with affected cattle, and consuming meat from affected cattle is safe provided the meat has been cooked to an appropriate temperature.”

The illness, caused by a protozoan called Theileria orientalis Ikeda, caused the death of one beef breed bull in Hart County and another in Fleming County. The Asian longhorned tick is known to carry the disease.

Theileria “infects red and white blood cells causing severe anemia in cattle as well as abortions, stillbirths, weakness, reluctance to walk, and death. Physical examination may reveal pale mucus membranes, high fever and elevated heart and respiratory rates,” the ag department said.

A blood test can confirm the disease.

Cattle that are infected can then become carriers affecting other members of the herd, the state said. Because “there is no approved effective treatment or vaccine for the disease,” the state said it’s important to work to prevent it. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is working with the University of Kentucky and Murray State University and the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Laboratory to set up a “passive surveillance system” to help identify the presence of the tick and the disease in Kentucky.

The state veterinarian is conducting free blood testing for Theileria, and the state said affected farms and owners will be kept confidential.

“Results are available to producers. Information gathered will be used to create maps that depict the spread of the ALT (Asian longhorned tick) and Theileria across Kentucky,” the news release stated. “

Those who want to submit tick samples for identification or cattle blood samples for Theileria testing can contact Kentucky Deputy State Veterinarian Dr. Kerry Barling at Kerry.Barling@ky.gov or call (502) 782-5921 for more information.”

Farmers are encouraged to take measures to keep ticks off their livestock, such as keeping pastures mowed, keeping cows out of wooded areas and inspecting for ticks on cattle regularly.