DAVENPORT, Iowa. (KWQC) - Iowa cattle farmers are facing a new threat.

The Asian long-horned tick is invading livestock and causing disease across the state, after being seen in Iowa for the first time.

It carries theileria, a parasite that infects red- and white-blood cells and causes anemia. Cattle affected by this could experience fever, difficulty breathing and lethargy.

Experts at Iowa State University’s Extension Outreach said the infestations surge when cattle are put in a new pasture.

Ryan Marquardt with the Iowa Farmers Union said this could become a large menace to Iowa farms.

“This is a serious threat, and this is something new and something we have to find a way to manage around,” he said. “The problem is that there are not a lot of good solutions.”

Right now, he said t

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