A disease affecting cattle in Kentucky is reportedly linked to ticks in the area.
Two cases of a new potentially dangerous disease in cattle has been detected in Fleming and nearby Hart county, according to the state veterinarian’s office.
The disease is a tickborne protozoa that infects red and white blood cells causing severe anemia in cattle as well as abortions, stillbirths, weakness, reluctance to walk, and death.
The disease is believed to come from the Asian Longhorned Tick, which has previously been detected in a handful of Kentucky counties, but officials believe these ticks could be in more Kentucky counties than officially reported.
As of now, state officials do not believe the cattle virus is dangerous to humans. Consuming meat from affected cattle is safe provided the meat has been cooked to an appropriate temperature.
However, farmers are asked to be aware of the virus because of the lethal threat it can hold for cattle.
