Bovine theileriosis, caused by the blood-borne parasite, theileria orientalisikeda, is a rapidly emerging threat to cattle in the eastern united states

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded $492,218 to the Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas on May 15, 2026, under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI, CFDA 10.310) to evaluate tick management tools and conduct extension education addressing bovine theileriosis in cattle.

The award funds evaluation of two commercially available tick management products—a prescription anti-tick vaccine and a slow-release parasiticide—to reduce parasitism from the invasive Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) and prevent infection with Theileria orientalis ikeda. The recipient will also conduct an extension campaign to educate county extension agents, producers, and veterinarians in Arkansas on the risk and transmission of T. orientalis ikeda, with emphasis on tick management and blood-borne transmission. No drugs or vaccines to treat or prevent theileriosis are currently available. Arkansas reported a 400 percent increase in theileriosis cases in 2025 compared to 2024, with producers experiencing significant herd losses.

Work is performed in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with a period of performance from May 15, 2026, through May 14, 2028. The award is structured as a project grant, an assistance type supporting integrated research and extension activities.

The pathogen is transmitted by the invasive asian longhorned tick, haemaphysalis longicornis. Haemaphysalis longicornis was first identified in arkansas in 2018, and the first case of theileriosis in cattle was confirmed in july 2024. In 2025, arkansas has experienced a 400% increase in theileriosis compared to 2024. Producers are reporting significant losses of the herd, resulting in economic hardship. No drugs or vaccines to treat or prevent theileriosis are available. New tools to address this threat are needed. We will evaluate two tick management tools (a prescription anti-tick vaccine and a slow-release parasiticide) to reduce h. Longicornis parasitism on cattle and prevent infection with t. Orientalis ikeda. Both are commercially available products and can be adopted quickly by producers. Furthermore, there is a recognized lack of awareness on the transmission of t. Orientalis among arkansas cattle producers, which may be contributing to the spread of the pathogen. We will further conduct an extension campaign to educate county extension agents, producers and veterinarians on the risk and transmission of t. Orientalis ikeda, with an emphasis on tick management and blood-borne transmission. The proposed work will result in actionable strategies for producers to mitigate this threat.