Information shared by Noelia Moyeno, DVM, Emergency Coordinator Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands, District 2

The purpose of the webinar was to provide an provide an overview of Heartwater etiology and ecology to all participants in preparation for a Tabletop Exercise in Puerto Rico. Heartwater is an often fatal tick-borne disease (high morbidity, high mortality) foreign to the U.S. that is caused by the bacteria Ehrlichia ruminantium, which is transmitted by the invasive tropical bont tick, Amblyomma variegatum. The emergence of Heartwater and the tropical bont tick in the U.S. would be of high consequence to the national livestock population. Heartwater affects cattle, sheep, goats, and some wild ruminants. This disease threatens the U.S. livestock industry because it is endemic in a few Caribbean islands, and the presence of other Amblyomma ticks in North America that can be competent vectors for E. ruminantium.

Several subject matter experts across the USDA providef this presentation. This webinar was open to APHIS personnel and external stakeholders.

• Date and Time: May 22, 2018; 11 AM EST
• Title- Heartwater Disease overview, etiology and ecology webinar
• Recording: available here

The webinar was organized in link with the preparation of a Table Top simulation exercice conducted on Heatwater in Puerto Rico, on June 15, 2018.