Iowa reports first case of tick-corn cattle disease

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has issued two major animal health updates impacting veterinarians, livestock producers, and industry stakeholders across the state.

In a June 13 memorandum, State Veterinarian Dr. Jeff Kaisand confirmed the first detection of the Asian Longhorned Tick and Theileria orientalis Ikeda in Iowa livestock. The confirmed case occurred in Van Buren County, located in southeast Iowa. Theileria is a protozoan parasite carried by the ALHT, which infects red and white blood cells and can cause bovine infectious anemia.

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture’s records, this is the first known case of both Theileria and the ALHT in Iowa.

“There are no approved treatments for Theileria in the United States,” Kaisand stated. “The best way to protect livestock is through tick control methods and proper biosecurity to prevent blood-borne spread between livestock.”

Theileria primarily affects ungulates, including cattle, sheep, and deer. Although it poses no known risk to human health in the United States, the parasite can severely impact herd health and productivity. Symptoms of infection include anemia, lethargy, fever, jaundice, abortions, and respiratory distress.

Kaisand urged producers to contact their herd veterinarian if animals exhibit any of these clinical signs. Veterinarians are advised to include Theileria in their differential diagnoses and submit samples to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for confirmation.

The second major change impacts funding for brucellosis vaccinations. The Iowa Legislature has eliminated the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Fund and its associated programs through Senate File 646. Effective July 1, 2025, the state will no longer assess a property tax levy to support the fund or offer vaccine reimbursements under it.

Veterinarians can continue submitting brucellosis vaccine vouchers for doses administered through June 30, 2025, and must submit them no later than July 31, 2025, to be eligible for reimbursement. After July 1, costs for administering brucellosis vaccines will no longer be reimbursed by the state.

Questions regarding vaccine voucher submission can be directed to Blake Ehler at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.