The Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Office of the State Veterinarian are warning cattle producers to protect their herds from a potentially deadly tick-borne disease.Theileria orientalis Ikeda is known to be carried by the Asian Longhorned Tick.The disease has been diagnosed in two beef herds in the state, one in Fleming County and the second in Hart County. State agriculture officials say it affects red and white blood cells causing severe anemia in cattle, as well as abortions, stillbirths, weakness, a reluctance to walk, and even death. Once an animal is infected, it becomes a carrier and can infect the rest of the herd but poses no threat to humans. The beef can be eaten if the meat is cooked at an appropriate temperature. The is no effective treatment or vaccine for the disease. The Asian Longhorned Tick has been found in Boone, Metcalfe, Floyd, Martin, Madison, Breathitt, and Perry counties in Kentucky.Anyone who wants to submit tick samples for identification or cattle blood samples for Theileria testing, can contact Kentucky Deputy State Veterinarian Dr. Kerry Barling at Kerry.Barling@ky.gov or call 502-782-5291 for more information.