Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Launches Study on Theileria orientalis Transmission via Asian Longhorned Ticks

Researchers at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station have launched a new study to address the spread of bovine theileriosis, a parasitic disease currently affecting the state’s cattle industry. The project, supported by a grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), focuses on the transmission of the *Theileria orientalis* Ikeda parasite, which is primarily spread by the invasive Asian longhorned tick.

The research team aims to understand the mechanisms behind the disease’s rapid escalation across the region and its impact on livestock health. The Asian longhorned tick, an invasive species, serves as the primary vector for the parasite, which causes significant illness in cattle populations. By investigating the relationship between the tick and the parasite, scientists intend to gather data on how the disease moves through herds and identify potential management strategies for producers. This study follows reports of the disease’s increasing prevalence, which has prompted concerns regarding agricultural productivity and animal welfare in Arkansas.

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Date: June 9, 2026

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