Dirty Needles, Flies, and Ticks Lead To Bovine Anaplasmosis Risks

First  discovered in the U.S. in 1925, anaplasmosis has long been considered a disease in the Southeast. Recent studies, however, show the disease firmly rooted in Midwestern and Western states, too.

• Veterinarians say ticks are the primary vectors for biological transmission because they serve as amplifiers of the disease.

• The second mode of transmission is mechanical, mostly involving horse, stable and deer flies.

• Additionally, needles play a role in mechanical transmission. According to one research project, six out of 10 animals became infected just from the movement of the needle from a positive animal to a negative animal.

There's much more to the story in Greg Henderson's article for Drovers... http://bit.ly/LNBHenderson

This interactive map, produced by Lori Hays and accessible in Henderson's article, shows the greatest risk areas for anaplasmosis infections. Every state, except Hawaii has reported cases of anaplasmosis in cattle.