New kind of ticks seen in N.Y.

State and federal health officials are warning New Yorkers to take renewed precautions against ticks after a species never before seen in New York state was recently discovered in Westchester County.

Haemaphysalis longicornis, commonly known as the "longhorned tick," was discovered in locations around the county recently. The tick is not native to the U.S.; it is commonly found in Australia, New Zealand and eastern Asia. However, these ticks have been found recently in New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and Arkansas.

While they have been known to transmit disease to humans in other parts of the world, health officials say more research is needed to determine whether that's possible in the U.S.

"We will continue to conduct surveillance and research on this new type of tick, but it is encouraging that the same steps that protect against deer ticks are also effective against the longhorned tick," said state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker.

The ticks may also pose a risk to livestock. Farmers should work with veterinarians to check their animals _ particularly cattle, sheep and horses _ for exposure to ticks and to ensure their parasite control plans are up to date and working. Symptoms of tick-borne disease in cattle include fever, lack of appetite, dehydration, weakness and labored breathing.

The Department of Agriculture and Markets is encouraging livestock owners and veterinarians to be vigilant for unusually heavy tick infestations. If longhorned ticks are suspected, farmers should consult their veterinarians and contact the state Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Animal Industry at 518-457-3502 or dai(at)agriculture.ny.gov.

The ticks discovered downstate were identified by researchers from the state Health Department, Fordham University and New York Medical College's Lyme Disease Diagnostic Center, and were confirmed by Rutgers University Center for Vector Biology and the federal Department of Agriculture.

To protect against ticks while outdoors:

Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.

Check for ticks often while outdoors and brush off ticks before they attach.

Perform a full-body check multiple times during the day, as well as at the end of the day, to ensure that no ticks are attached.

Consider use of repellents containing DEET, picaridin or IR3535, following label instructions.

If you have been bitten by a tick of any kind, contact your health care provider immediately if you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms.