Top Prevention and Control Prevention and control methods should be based on factors such as geographic location, exposure to possibly infected cattle, purebred versus commercial herds, and management goals. Complete eradication from the herd in northern climates where the cattle tick is not prevalent should be the goal of cattle producers. If this is not done, carriers will remain in the herd and serve as a source of infection that can cause losses at any time in the future. Cooperation of neighbors with infected herds may be necessary, as transmission between herds on nearby pastures occurs. A specific plan for control and eradication of anaplasmosis should be worked out with the herd veterinarian.
Vaccines are available for anaplasmosis.
In southern states where exposure to infected ticks cannot be avoided, vaccination of exposed, susceptible, or infected herds is often advisable. In the northern states, this is not as commonly recommended since the disease can be eliminated. It is important to remember that anaplasmosis vaccines do not eliminate the infection from a herd. They only prevent the development of clinical disease. Vaccinated cattle that are carriers of anaplasmosis will remain carriers, even though they will not develop the disease themselves.