Rapid spread of the tropical bont tick in the West Indies has occurred since the 1960's. Movement of tick-infested livestock was incriminated in some cases, but overall, the cause of the spread of heartwater has not been determined. Cattle egrets became established in the region in the 1950's and have been implicated in much of the recent spread of heartwater. Small numbers of tick-infested cattle egrets have been shown to move among islands in the region and have been implicated in the interisland movement of the tick. Susceptible Species Animals susceptible to heartwater include domestic cattle, sheep, goats, and buffalo.
Exotic ruminants can also contract the disease.
Amblyomma maculatum, another potential vector, is a common parasite of white-tailed deer in the Southern United States. However, there is no evidence that heartwater is present in wildlife in this country. Prevention and Control Preventive measures by livestock owners should include implementation of an effective tick-control program, including regular inspection of animals and pastures for ticks and elimination of the vector through acaricides. Livestock owners should monitor their animals regularly for clinical signs of heartwater or tick infestation. If heartwater is suspected, a veterinarian, State or Federal animal health official, or county agricultural agent should be contacted at once.