Bethany Bump is reporting for the Times Union health officials are warning New York residents about a new species of tick recently discovered in Westchester County. The so-called longhorned tick was found at locations around Westchester just recently. The longhorned tick is not native to the U.S. and is commonly found in Australia, New Zealand and eastern Asia. They have been found in New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and Arkansas. The tick has been known to transmit disease to humans in other parts of the world, but health officials say more research is needed to determine whether that is possible in the United States. However, the ticks may pose a risk to livestock. Farmers are advised to work with veterinarians to check all animals, especially cattle, sheep and horses, for tick exposure, and to confirm their parasite control plans are up to date and working. Information is available by calling the state Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Animal Industry at (518) 457-3502. Read the full story in the Times Union.