The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Agriculture have confirmed the state’s first detection of the invasive Asian longhorned tick.
KDHE identified the tick on a dog in Franklin County through its passive tick surveillance network, a 2024 program involving veterinary clinics that submit tick samples for analysis. “Now that it has been identified in Kansas, we’ve contacted veterinarians statewide to ensure they understand the risks,” said Kansas Animal Health Commissioner Justin Smith.
The tick, capable of reproducing without a male, poses both human and animal health concerns. Prevention remains key, as some Asian longhorned ticks have carried diseases like Bourbon virus and ehrlichiosis.
