New virus detected in a tick invasive to the US. Should we be concerned?

Researchers have identified a previously unknown virus in an invasive tick species that was first found in the United States in 2017. Since that initial discovery the tick has expanded its presence, appearing in more than two dozen states. Finding a virus in a tick is an early step in assessing disease risk. Detection in the arthropod does not by itself establish that the virus infects people or animals, or that it can be transmitted to humans. Additional laboratory and field studies are needed to determine whether the agent can cause illness and how it circulates in nature. Because the tick’s range has grown, public-health experts say questions about exposure pathways, geographic distribution of the virus, and potential impacts on human and animal health become more pressing. Surveillance, diagnostic testing, and ecological studies are the typical next steps used to clarify whether a newly detected agent represents a public-health threat. For individuals in areas where the tick has been reported, standard precautions to reduce tick bites remain sensible: avoid tall grass and brush, use repellents and protective clothing, check for ticks after outdoor activities, and remove attached ticks promptly. Local health departments and public-health agencies are the appropriate sources for updates and guidance as researchers learn more.