07/26/2018
Dear Friend:
Recently, the NYS Department of Health issued a press release warning that a new species of tick, the longhorned tick, has been found in nearby Westchester County. This particular tick is not native in New York, but has been found in other countries and a few U.S. states.
The Health Department warns that while these ticks have been known to transmit diseases to humans in other parts of the world, more research is needed to determine what their impact would be here in this regard. They did note, however, that these ticks can pose a risk to livestock and they urged New York farmers to work closely with their veterinarians to monitor the health of their animals.
Because this is a new discovery here in the state, there are a lot of unknowns surrounding the potential impact of the longhorned tick. However, given our state’s experience with the dangers of ticks and the diseases they carry, Senator Terrence Murphy and I joined with some of our colleagues yesterday to send a letter to the State Health Commissioner calling on the department to make studying this particular tick a priority. When it comes to preventing the spread of tick-borne diseases, awareness and prevention are key. We want to ensure that the response to this discovery is swift and thorough to ensure the health and safety of New York’s residents and the farm animals we depend on.
To learn more, and to view the letter, please click here.
As always, I encourage you to remain vigilant against ticks when enjoying the outdoors this summer. Be sure to take proper precautions and always check yourself, your loved ones and your pets for ticks each and every time that you come in from the outdoors.
I encourage you to share this message with friends and family to help raise awareness for this important issue.