Illinois

More kinds of ticks, longer season as experts warn ‘Illinois is at the frontline’

Published

6 months ago

May 22, 2024

More kinds of ticks, longer season as experts warn ‘Illinois is at the frontline’

As tick season approaches, experts warn that Illinois residents should be even more wary as the type of ticks in the state increases and the season lengthens.

Researchers discovered the Asian longhorned tick — an invasive species native to Japan, Korea and parts of China and Russia — in Illinois in April. First reported in the United States in 2017, the tick has since spread to 20 states.

“The role that this tick will play in the transmission of infections in humans is yet to be determined,” the Illinois Department of Public Health said in a recent statement.

But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the tick is not likely to increase the spread of Lyme disease or cause a significant nuisance for humans. Instead, according to Mark Ernst, a veterinarian with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the longhorned tick is most likely to affect cattle.

Though the longhorned tick generally targets cattle, Maureen Murray, assistant director of the Urban Wildlife Institute at Lincoln Park Zoo, said Chicago residents should be on the lookout for other types of ticks.

Tick patterns tend to vary significantly from year to year, Murray said, but one consistency has been a movement in tick season.

“We’re seeing less severe winters, which might lead to more ticks,” Murray said. “Fewer ticks die during the winter, and ticks can be active sooner in the spring, just because it warms up faster.”

Chris Stone, a medical entomologist at the Illinois Natural History Survey, said he suspects climate change is affecting the types of ticks in Illinois in a few different ways.

The first Asian Longhorned Tick to be discovered in Illinois. (Samantha Kerr/Illinois Department of Public Health)

First, he said, warmer winters may be encouraging ticks to migrate. His lab has found the Gulf Coast tick, a tick that was once limited to the southern United States, across southern Illinois, he said. The tick can cause rickettsial disease, a type of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, in humans, which can cause fever, vomiting and even death.

“With particularly the winters getting milder, which is one of the main changes we’ve seen in Illinois over the past several decades, that could affect species and allow them to spread further north,” Stone said.

Murray urged Chicago residents not to fall for the common misconception that ticks are a rural problem. Chicagoans can come into contact with Gulf Coast ticks, deer ticks and other types of the disease-prone insects. Her institute has been doing surveys of Chicago green spaces since 2017 and has collected more than 1,000 ticks from different areas in the city over that time period.

“It’s really important to spend time outside and connect with nature in the city,” Murray said. “But we just want to make sure that people are aware that they could encounter ticks, and that there are straightforward steps for preventing tick bites.”

People should check themselves for ticks every time they exit a green space, she added.

Cattle producers also need to be vigilant, according to Ernst.

A female black-legged tick, also known as deer tick, which was caught at earlier time, walks on the hand of Tom Velat, a DuPage Forest Preserve ecologist at the Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve on April 2, 2012 in Oak Brook. (Chuck Berman/Chicago Tribune)

The longhorned tick can carry a disease that particularly affects pregnant cattle and calves, causing them to become anemic, weak and lethargic. There is no effective and approved treatment for the disease, Ernst said, so it can spread rapidly among surviving animals.

“We urge our cattle producers to check around their ears, under their tail, in their brisket areas, and look for large numbers of really small ticks,” Ernst said. “They’re only about the size of a sesame seed and can get up to the size of a pea when they’re engorged.”

Longhorned ticks also pose a particular threat because of their sheer numbers, he said.

“Female insects do not need a male in order to reproduce and can lay up to 2,000 eggs at a time,” Ernst said. “So it doesn’t take long for an area to become pretty well-saturated with this type of a tick.”

Becky Smith, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, teaches the public how to identify, prevent and treat tick-borne diseases.

An adult female and adult male Gulf Coast tick. (Emily Struckhoff)

Cattle have been affected by the disease in places like Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan, she said. So far, there has only been one affected cow in the United States, but scientists have proven ticks can carry the disease in labs in the United States, she said.

“The biggest concern is for the beef industry and for the sheep industry as well,” Smith said. “One female can produce thousands of eggs, and the real concern is if you get a really strong infestation, a calf can die from blood loss.”

Smith added that people should be particularly aware of the risks of any kind of tick bite.

“Ticks are expanding their range,” Smith said. “They’re moving into a lot of places, and Illinois is at the frontline of that. We’re getting more ticks everywhere. We’ve seen a tenfold increase in the number of tick-borne illnesses. It’s time to be aware.”

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Illinois

Park Ridge, Illinois house left uninhabitable after fire

Published

8 hours ago

November 28, 2024

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Park Ridge, Illinois house left uninhabitable after fire – CBS Chicago

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There were reports of victims trapped inside, but firefighters confirmed the home was empty when they arrived.

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Illinois

Previewing the Illinois high school football state championship games

Published

16 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Press Room

Previewing the Illinois high school football state championship games

Top-ranked Loyola’s offense has three primary plays: running with Drew MacPherson, passing to MacPherson and running with quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald.

The key blocker on most of those Fitzgerald runs? MacPherson.

“[MacPherson] has breakaway speed,” Ramblers coach Beau Desherow said. “He’s also a really good receiver. His ability to block isn’t talked about enough. He’s a devastating blocker. He is a totally selfless player that will do whatever it takes to win.”

MacPherson leads Loyola (11-2) in touchdowns (19), rushing yards (1,038) and receiver yards (678). The Iowa recruit will be a major focus of York’s defense in the Class 8A state championship game at ISU’s Hancock Stadium on Saturday at 7 p.m.

On the other side, the key is Bruno Massel. The Dukes’ quarterback may be the fastest in the state. The senior qualified for the Class 3A state track finals last spring in the 100 meters and 4×100 relay, earning a medal in the latter.

Massel vs. Loyola’s stout run defense is the matchup that could decide the game. Mount Carmel and Lincoln-Way East, programs that pride themselves on consistent running attacks, didn’t even attempt to succeed on the ground against the Ramblers this season.

The Griffins called just four rushing plays in the semifinals against Loyola and the Caravan ran nine rushing plays in a Week 9 loss to Loyola.

“We take away the run pretty early,” Desherow said. “Our defensive line has done an amazing job and our linebackers have stepped up. They are players. Max Mendoza had an amazing game [vs. Lincoln-Way East].”

This is the first title game appearance for York (11-2) The Ramblers, Mount Carmel in 7A and Nazareth in 5A are attempting to three-peat and all are favorites.

Batavia’s Nathan Whitwell (28) carries the ball against St. Charles North.

Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

Class 7A: Batavia (12-1) vs. Mount Carmel (10-3), 4 p.m. Sat.

This is a rivalry, but one-sided. Mount Carmel has ended Batavia’s last four seasons.

“The first time was a war,” Bulldogs coach Dennis Piron said. “The last three we had things happen in the first quarter and it got out of hand.”

The Caravan is young overall but has solid veteran leaders on both sides, including quarterback Jack Elliott and linebacker Matt Mucha.

“I’m the head coach but it is Jack Elliott’s team,” Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch said “It is not what I’m comfortable with it is what the kids see and what the kids trust. He comes with his own game plan on what we should run.”

Mucha has led the Caravan in tackles the last two seasons.

“Our defense is peaking at the right time,” Lynch said. “Mucha is the best linebacker in the state and will be one of the best players on the field Saturday.”

Batavia’s top weapon is senior running back Nathan Whitewell, who has rushed for 1,669 yards and 27 touchdowns. The Caravan is allowing 22 points a game this season and the Bulldogs’ best chance at an upset may be to get in a high-scoring shootout.

Geneva's Taylin Taylor (1) catches a pass and turns up field as the Vikings play Batavia. — Geneva’s Taylin Taylor (1) catches a pass and turns up field as the Vikings play Batavia.

Class 6A: Geneva (12-1) vs. East St. Louis (12-1), 1 p.m. Sat.

The Flyers dominated Loyola in Week 1 and their only loss was 14-13 to IMG Academy, a prep school powerhouse from Florida. East St. Louis is the best team in the state.

Flyers’ quarterback Kendrick Lyons has thrown for 2,402 yards and 31 touchdowns. Keandre McClendon leads the team with 12 sacks.

Geneva counters with perhaps the most talented player in the state, Georgia recruit Talyn Taylor. The senior wide receiver has scored 27 touchdowns.

Joliet Catholic’s Larry Stringham (24) carries the ball against Mount Carmel.

Class 5A: Nazareth (11-2) vs. Joliet Catholic (10-3), 10 a.m. Sat.

This could be the best game of the weekend. Nazareth is loaded with stars including quarterback Logan Malachuk and linebacker Gabe Kaminski. The Roadrunners have a special group of receivers in Garrett Reese, Jake Cestone, Trenton Walker and James Penley.

“Kaminski is a four-year starter and an awfully fun kid to watch,” Nazareth coach Tim Racki said. “He plays football the way it is meant to be played.”

The Hilltoppers don’t have a major star, just a lot of experience. It’s a testament to the strength of the program, which is tied with Mount Carmel for the most state titles, that it has advanced to another title game.

“This is probably the toughest schedule that I’ve been around as a coach or when I played here,” Joliet Catholic coach Jake Jaworski said. “We have definitely learned from those three losses.”

Running backs Larry Stringham (14 TDs) and Nate Magrini (13 TDs) lead the Hilltoppers’ attack.

DePaul's Juju Rodriguez (2) looks to pass during the Rams' 21-14 semifinal win against Coal City. — DePaul’s Juju Rodriguez (2) looks to pass during the Rams’ 21-14 semifinal win against Coal City.

Class 4A: DePaul Prep (10-3) vs. Mt. Zion (10-3), 7 p.m. Fri.

The Rams’ Cinderella run to state is the best story of the playoffs. DePaul Prep has a daring offense, led by daring quarterback Juju Rodriguez, running back Nick Martinez and receiver Braden Peevy.

Mt. Zion is a regular playoff contender but this is its first title game as well.

Montini’s Louis Corpora (38) carries the ball against North Lawndale’s Trevion Anderson (21).

Class 3A: Montini (11-2) vs. Monticello (11-2), 4 p.m. Fri.

Montini’s losses this season are to larger Catholic League powers Marist and Fenwick. The Broncos, led by quarterback Israel Abrams (1,778 passing yards, 24 TDs) are heavy favorites.

Class 2A: Chicago Christian (12-1) vs. Maroa-Forsyth (12-1), 1 p.m. Fri.

The school from Palos Heights led by first-year coach CJ Cesario could have its hands full with the Maroa-Forsyth, one of the state’s traditional small school powers. The Knights’ offense is well-balanced with Christian Flutman throwing for 23 TDs and Kenny Jager rushing for 27.

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