Anaplasmosis, associated with the bacteria Anaplasma marginale, is a tick-vectored disease that can be spread by biting insects, such as flies and ticks, and mechanically from syringe needles. Infection occurs through blood transfer, primarily from ticks, which serve as the primary vector. The disease has spread from its traditional area in the Gulf coast into the Midwest and West.
All ages of cattle can be infected. Those animals that survive become lifelong carriers providing a reservoir for vector transfer to non-infected cattle.
Source: Drovers, August 2016, page 18.
Dave Rethorst, DVM, Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory says controlling the disease begins with biosecurity. He references quarantining new arrivals to avoid introducing infected animals into herds, tick- and insect-control efforts, vaccination, ongoing testing and use of feed-grade chlortetracycline (CTC) for treatment and control, particularly during the vector season. Rethorst suggests three possible herd protocols with some assumptions.
INSIGHTS: Starting in January 2017, the use of feed-grade chlortetracycline for anaplasmosis control will require veterinary oversight as required by the Food and Drug Administration’s Veterinary Feed Directive rules.