Management of anaplasmosis in beef cattle

Abstract

Cattle that recover from anaplasmosis are carriers of the disease for the rest of their lives because their blood contains the Anaplasma marginale parasite. The blood from these recovered animals will cause anaplasmosis in uninfected cattle. Carriers very rarely become ill from anaplasmosis a second time. The unknown carriers in a herd of cattle are the most important source of infection for future outbreaks of the disease.

Anaplasmosis outbreaks are related to lack of a control program, the percent of the herd which are anaplasmosis carriers and the amount of vector transmission. (NO CONTROLS + CARRIERS + VECTORS = OUTBREAKS.) Either an increase in percent of carriers or amount of vector transmission can influence the severity of an outbreak. With this in mind, we need to consider control programs to prevent outbreaks, clearing up the carrier state, reducing vector transmission and treatment or management options available during an outbreak.