Invasive longhorned tick found for the first time in NYC

NEW YORK – An invasive tick species native to Asia that’s been spreading across the eastern United States has been found for the first time in New York City.

The city health department announced Wednesday that the longhorned tick has been spotted in the borough of Staten Island.

The tick is known for transmitting disease to livestock and wild animals. It has not been linked to human diseases in the United States but it’s been known to spread a potentially deadly virus to humans in Asia.

The first longhorned tick in the United States was found last summer in New Jersey. Since then the ticks have been spotted in suburban New York and in states including Arkansas, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.