A tick-borne cattle disease is spreading rapidly across Missouri, with confirmed cases now reported in 60 counties, raising concern among veterinarians and livestock producers. Farm Progress reports the disease, Theileria orientalis ikeda, was first detected in Missouri in 2023 and has expanded steadily as the Asian longhorned tick, the parasite’s primary carrier, spreads across the state.
The organism infects red blood cells and can cause severe anemia in cattle. Veterinary experts say symptoms may include weakness, jaundice, pale mucous membranes and lethargy. In severe cases, the disease can lead to death, particularly in stressed animals or calves. There is currently no approved treatment or vaccine available in the United States, leaving prevention and tick control as the main tools for managing the disease. Researchers and extension specialists are urging producers to closely monitor cattle for signs of illness and to work with veterinarians to manage tick populations as the parasite continues to expand westward in the state.
SOURCE: NAFB News Service