Invasive Disease-Carrying Ticks Detected Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Montana

Connecticut officials have confirmed the first U.S. case of the invasive longhorned tick carrying Ehrlichia chaffeensis, the bacteria responsible for human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME), a potentially deadly disease with symptoms ranging from high fever to kidney failure. This tick species, native to eastern Asia, is notable for its ability to reproduce without males and its expanding presence in Connecticut and other parts of the eastern U.S., raising concerns about increased disease transmission. Meanwhile, Montana has detected the presence of blacklegged ticks, commonly known as deer ticks, for the first time, with three specimens found in Dawson and Sheridan counties. These ticks are known carriers of Lyme disease and other illnesses, though no pathogens were detected in the Montana ticks as of now. The discovery of these ticks in Montana represents a significant geographic expansion, potentially increasing the risk of tick-borne diseases in the state. Officials across both states emphasize vigilance as these invasive tick species continue to spread and pose new public health challenges.