Introduction of exotic tick vectors of bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and filarial parasites into the United States has accelerated in recent years, primarily because of globalization, increased frequency of travel, and a rise in legal and illegal animal trades. We herein report introduction of a live specimen of Amblyomma oblongoguttatum on a human into the United States from Central America, and we review 4 previous similar incidents. This tick species occurs widely in the neotropics, from western and southern Mexico, southwards through Central America, to the northern half of South America. It is a potential vector of bacterial agents of spotted fever group rickettsioses, raising concern that if A. oblongoguttatum ticks become established in this country, they might also be able to carry pathogens of human and veterinary concern. Given the potential for exotic ticks as vectors of numerous pathogens, proper surveillance, interception, and identification of these ticks are vital to protecting human and veterinary health. Rigorous governmental inspections of imported livestock and pet animals at ports of entry and educating human travelers and medical practitioners about the risks should be part of an overall national tick program.

近年来，细菌，原生动物，病毒和丝虫的外来tick虫媒介进入美国的步伐加快了，这主要是由于全球化，旅行频率的增加以及合法和非法动物贸易的增加。我们在此报告了从中美洲到美国向人类引入的扁圆形虫活体标本的介绍，并且我们回顾了4例以前的类似事件。这种壁虱种类广泛存在于新热带地区，从墨西哥的西部和南部，向南穿过中美洲，再到南美洲的北半部。它是点状发热立克次体细菌的潜在载体，引起了人们的关注，即是否有长链农杆菌。s虫在这个国家已经建立起来，它们也可能携带人类和兽医关注的病原体。鉴于外来tick可能是多种病原体的媒介，因此对这些tick的正确监视，拦截和识别对于保护人类和兽医的健康至关重要。在入境口岸对进口的牲畜和宠物进行严格的政府检查，并对旅客和医疗从业者进行风险教育，这应该成为整个国家壁虱计划的一部分。