Nevertheless, these animals may serve as suitable 

 hosts for the immature and mature stages of economi- 

 cally important ticks. For example, in the past rhino- 

 ceroses have entered the United States and were sub- 

 sequently found infested with live Amblyomma hebrae- 

 um. In 1960, live Rhipicephalus everfs/ ticks were 

 found on elands, zebras, and nilghai in "Africa USA" at 

 Boca Raton, Florida. An intensive eradication effort was 

 required to eradicate this tick. Shortly thereafter, R. 

 evertsi and R. pulchellus were found at "Busch Gar- 

 dens," Florida, and at the "Catskill Game Farm" in up- 

 state New York. 



Exotic ticks are also commonly found on animals in 

 quarantine at the USDA New York Animal Import 

 Center, Newburgh, New York. Precautionary dipping is 

 routinely carried out on such animals held in quaran- 

 tine. The real threat exists with those animals which 

 may enter the USA without having to be held in quaran- 

 tine or having to be given a precautionary dipping. Not 

 only are many exotic ticks serious blood-sucking 

 parasites of domestic livestock, but they also transmit 

 diseases such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis, 

 theileriosis, heartwater, Nairobi sheep disease, and 

 spirochetosis. 



Procedures for Collecting and Submitting Ticks 



Veterinary Medical Officers and Animal Health Techni- 

 cians should carefully review V.S. Memorandum 558.1, 

 September 8, 1978, for information on the collection 

 and submission of ticks. Any personnel not having this 

 memorandum may obtain a copy from their 

 Veterinarian-ln-Charge. Cooperating State animal 

 health regulatory personnel may also obtain a copy of 

 this memorandum. 



