Study: Ticks are showing up in new locations
According to HealthDay News, scientists found ticks capable of transmitting Lyme disease and other illnesses in dozens of places across the United States where the pests had never been recorded.
All told, a new study revealed that disease-carrying ticks were detected in 83 more counties across 24 states.
The numbers reflect a rise in tick populations nationwide, said study author Nate Nieto, Ph.D., an associate professor in Northern Arizona University’s department of biological sciences. “People should be aware of ticks and tick-borne disease, even when they may think there’s not a recorded incidence of a tick in a county,” Dr. Nieto said. “These things, they’re not obeying borders. They’re going by biology. If they get moved there by a deer or bird or people or pets, they’re going to establish themselves and start growing.”
“People should be aware of ticks and tick-borne disease, even when they may think there’s not a recorded incidence of a tick in a county,” Dr. Nieto said. “These things, they’re not obeying borders. They’re going by biology. If they get moved there by a deer or bird or people or pets, they’re going to establish themselves and start growing.”
More information about the study is available at http://bit.ly/2mCOcFx.
Longhorned tick found in New York
According to USAgNet, the New York State departments of health and agriculture and markets cautioned residents, visitors and farmers about the importance of taking protective measures against ticks.
The Haemaphysalis longicornis tick, commonly known as the longhorned tick, was discovered in multiple locations in Westchester County.
New York health department scientists collaborated with researchers at Fordham University and the Lyme Disease Diagnostic Center of New York Medical College to identify the ticks. The identification was confirmed by the Rutgers University Center for Vector Biology and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Southern Veterinary Partners acquires Alabama clinic
Southern Veterinary Partners has acquired a Homewood, Alabama, animal clinic, according to Birmingham Business Journal.
Standifer’s Animal Clinic is now the 13th Alabama hospital under the umbrella of SVP, a veterinarian-owned and operated regional network established in 2014.
SVP now leads 53 animal hospitals across 10 Southern states. Birmingham Business Journal called SVP one of the fastest-growing companies in metro Birmingham.
Pet tech industry incubator is started
According to Pet Product News, several pet industry veterans have launched an organization that offers a place for inventors, entrepreneurs and pet fanatics to apply for a chance to have their products properly introduced into markets worldwide.
After seeing too many good ideas fail because of poor early-stage decision making or a lack of industry connections, Cheryl Pedersen, founder of Poochie-Pets, and Jolanda Van Der Basch, founder of Van Der Basch Trading, started Only an Ocean.
Modeled after a technology sector incubator, Only an Ocean’s goal is to provide innovators a place to walk the tightrope from idea to sample to sales. The key to success, as Only An Ocean sees it, is to provide product partners with expert guidance.
Livestock producers watch for anthrax cases
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is asking livestock producers to be on the lookout for cases of anthrax after cattle deaths from the disease were confirmed in South Dakota.
Anthrax commonly affects cattle, sheep and goats and is almost always fatal. Producers in areas where anthrax was identified should vaccinate their animals, an expert said.