• A deadly tick-borne cattle disease, bovine theileriosis, is spreading across Arkansas.
• University of Arkansas researchers received nearly $500,000 in federal funding to test potential treatments.
• There are currently no approved drugs or vaccines in the U.S. to treat or prevent the disease.
• The disease is primarily carried by the invasive Asian longhorned tick and can be fatal to cattle.

As cases of a deadly tick-borne cattle disease continue to spread across Arkansas, researchers with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture have received nearly $500,000 in federal funding to test potential treatments to protect cattle herds.

The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station received a two-year, $492,218 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study ways to combat bovine theileriosis, a disease caused by the parasite Theileria orientalis Ikeda and carried primarily by the invasive Asian longhorned tick.

Emily McDermott, an assistant professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and project director for the grant, said the rapid increase in cases has created significant challenges for cattle producers across the state.

“Arkansas cattle ranchers are reporting significant losses of the herd, resulting in economic hardship,” McDermott said.

No approved drugs or vaccines currently exist in the United States to treat or prevent the disease, making the research especially important as infections continue to expand across Arkansas.

Researchers will evaluate two commercially available approaches that could be adopted quickly by producers if proven effective. One is a prescription anti-tick vaccine developed by Medgene for long-term protection. The other will test the slow-release parasiticide eprinomectin in combination with currently labeled tick-control products and compare its effectiveness to two pyrethroid treatments.

Southern Arkansas University has announced the launch of a new Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management, with enrollment beginning in Fall 2026. The program, housed in the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences in the Dempsey College of Liberal and Performing Arts, is designed to meet growing demand for trained emergency management professionals across government, public safety, healthcare, and the private sector.

The 120-credit-hour degree combines classroom instruction with practical application across the core disciplines of modern emergency management, including incident command and the National Incident Command System (ICS), homeland security and counterterrorism policy, critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, and emergency management technology. Graduates will be prepared to lead response, recovery, mitigation, and preparedness operations at the local, state, or federal level.

Dr. Jennifer Rowsam, dean of the Dempsey College of Liberal and Performing Arts, said, “We are excited to offer a program that will meet the needs of Arkansas. With the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) in East Camden and SAU-Tech housing the Arkansas Fire Training Academy, it is a natural fit for SAU to offer the next step for police, fire, and emergency medical professionals. The growing lithium industry in South Arkansas requires critical safety infrastructure, and we are excited to provide a degree to support growth in our region.”

The program is designed to serve both traditional undergraduate students interested in public safety or government service and working professionals in fire service, law enforcement, EMS, healthcare, or the military seeking advancement into command, administrative, or policy leadership roles.

Military veterans transitioning into civilian emergency management careers and adult learners with related credentials or experience are also encouraged to apply. SAU offers flexible transfer pathways and course formats designed to accommodate both traditional students and working professionals. Full admissions details are available on the program’s website.

Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers such as Emergency Management Director, Homeland Security Analyst, Critical Infrastructure Protection Specialist, Incident Commander, and leadership positions in fire service, law enforcement, EMS, healthcare systems, and emergency planning organizations. Potential employers include FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, hospitals and healthcare systems, school and university safety offices, and private-sector risk management firms.

“As a former first responder, I understand how difficult it can be for emergency services professionals to pursue higher education while balancing work, family, and community responsibilities. That is why this fully online Emergency Management program was created with flexible 7-week courses designed specifically for today’s working professionals,” said Josh Miller, assistant professor of criminal justice. Miller added, “One of the greatest advantages of the 7-week format is that students can maintain a full course load while focusing on only two to three classes at a time, making the program more manageable and accessible for busy professionals.”

As communities across Arkansas and the nation face growing challenges related to disaster response, cybersecurity, public safety, and infrastructure protection, SAU continues to expand programs that directly support regional workforce and leadership needs. The new Emergency Management degree reflects the University’s commitment to preparing students for meaningful, high-demand careers while serving industries and agencies that play a vital role in protecting communities throughout the region.

To learn more about the Emergency Management program at SAU, visit SAU Emergency Management Program.

About SAU:

Southern Arkansas University provides students with the complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees across four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to meet the needs of today’s career and professional trends. To learn more about SAU, visit www.saumag.edu.