First Case of Tick-Borne Cattle Disease Confirmed in Iowa

(KEOSAUQUA, IA) -- The Iowa Department of Agriculture has confirmed the state’s first case of Theileria orientalis Ikeda in a beef cattle herd.

The disease, which can cause anemia and death in cattle, was detected in Van Buren County. Iowa State University Extension says it is spread by the invasive Asian longhorned tick, recently identified in the state.

Officials say the disease does not affect humans and has no known public health risk. There are no approved treatments in the U.S., and prevention relies on tick control and biosecurity.