Anaplasmosis

Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Anaplasmosis is diagnosed based on a physician’s assessment of a patient’s symptoms, history of exposure to blacklegged ticks and laboratory testing.

People with anaplasmosis will usually have mild to moderate illness, although severe illness can occur. These are usually fever and other symptoms including headache, chills, fatigue, and muscle aches. In some cases, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite can occur.

Anaplasmosis is spread through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. The blacklegged tick is found in southeastern and south-central Canada, including New Brunswick, and the Western blacklegged tick found in southwestern Canada. In rare cases anaplasmosis is transmitted by blood transfusion or organ transplantation.

The risk is highest in geographic areas where both the tick species and the pathogen that can cause human disease are found. Cases have been reported in the southeastern and south-central Canada. Older people or people with weakened immune systems are at risk for severe illness.

Consult a health-care provider for advice and treatment. Prescription medicines (antibiotics) may be used to effectively treat anaplasmosis. 

Health care providers and laboratories must report cases of anaplasmosis to Public Health. Public Health staff may interview the health-care provider and patient (or caregivers) to find out how the infection occurred, identify other people at risk of infection, implement control measures and provide other advice. 

Protect yourself against tick bites, check for ticks after coming indoors, remove ticks safely, contact a health-care provider or local pharmacist for assessment of tick bites and see a health-care provider if you have symptoms of tick-borne diseases.

For additional information, contact your health-care provider, local Public Health office or Tele-Care 811.