A deadly new exotic tick that could carry a host of rare diseases has invaded New Jersey, health officials have warned.
The pests known as East Asian or Longhorned ticks were first discovered in the state last fall, and have now been found in another county, according to scientists at Rutgers University.
The bloodsucking spider-like bugs are typically found in grassy areas and can transmit a variety of dangerous viruses such as Lyme disease.
Experts have warned that the tick will likely spread rapidly to other parts of the US especially as summer brings tick season.
The newest tick to arrive in the US has already migrated great distances, from its origins in Asia to Australia and New Zealand and now to New Jersey, according to James Lok, a professor of parasitology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
'I would be surprised if it does not spread out of New Jersey quickly,' Lok told Today.
Every year ticks start to emerge in May, June and July, bringing with them an increased risk of tick-borne diseases.
The chief concern with the Longhorned ticks is that they have been known to spread a deadly virus called severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS).
SFTS has never before been reported in North America, but the longhorned tick could change that.
SFTS causes severe fever and low blood platelet counts that can be fatal
Symptoms include fatigue, chills, headache, nausea, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
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