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Howden Et Al., 2010 PDF
Howden Et Al., 2010 PDF
838
Figure 1. Anaplasmosis in Canada 2008–2010.
Positive Premises
Quarantines removed due to
insufficient evidence to confirm
the presence of Anaplasma marginale
C R O S S - CA N A DA D I S E A S E R E P O R T
source of infection for this case. organism and determine the possibility that this organism was
Two geographically separate outbreaks, each with multiple responsible for the atypical observations in British Columbia.
infected herds identified, have been reported in Manitoba. The Due to the lack of sufficient scientific evidence to support the
first confirmed positive animal (positive on cELISA and PCR) presence of A. marginale, a decision was made to remove the
was identified in January 2009 as a result of a follow-up inves- remaining quarantines in British Columbia.
tigation to the BSS. Subsequent investigations revealed a total The situation in British Columbia and the large numbers of
of 8 positive herds associated with the rural municipalities of cases identified in Manitoba resulted in a further examination
Lac du Bonnet and Alexander. A second outbreak in Manitoba of the status of anaplasmosis as a federally reportable disease
was identified in October 2009 as a result of enhanced passive in Canada. An Anaplasmosis Steering Committee made up
surveillance and reporting to the CFIA of clinical signs sug- of representatives of the federal and provincial governments,
gestive of anaplasmosis by a private veterinarian. Animals were industry, academia and non-government organizations was
found to be positive for anaplasmosis by cELISA, PCR, and a formed in September 2009. Two working groups reporting
few also on blood smear. Only this 1 herd in Manitoba of all the to the Anaplasmosis Steering Committee were established to
herds tested in western Canada presented animals with clinical examine the science related to anaplasmosis and review the
signs of anaplasmosis. However, due to the extensive manage- potential economic impacts of a change in reportable status.
ment of most herds during the vector season it is possible that As per the CFIA’s mandate, potential impacts on public health
clinical animals would not have been observed. This outbreak (such as, consequences of off-label antimicrobial use) and ani-
was located in southeastern Manitoba where 15 infected farms mal welfare are also being examined. The results of the working
were identified from October 2009 to April 2010. No epide- groups’ reports are expected in late 2010. A broader stakeholder
miological link between these 2 outbreaks in Manitoba has been consultation is anticipated to be undertaken at that time. The
identified to date. During the course of these investigations, current objective is to minimize disruptions to the industry
over 13 000 animals were tested in Manitoba, with 590 animals while respecting the CFIA’s mandate to protect animal health
identified as meeting the case definition for a confirmed case of and public health in Canada.
anaplasmosis. Within herd apparent prevalence for A. marginale
identified to date ranged between 0.04% and 65.96%. Genetic Acknowledgments
sequencing data from Manitoba has confirmed the presence The authors thank Drs. Brian Evans, Francine Lord, Jim
of A. marginale. Investigations related to the 2 outbreaks in Clark, Connie Argue, Jag Dhanda, Lynn Bates, Primal Silva,
Manitoba are on-going. Shane Renwick, and Cyril Lutze-Wallace for their review of
British Columbia exhibited a significantly higher sero- the manuscript. The authors acknowledge the diagnostic and
prevalence for anaplasmosis than elsewhere in Canada during research work completed at the CFIA Centre for Food-borne
the 2007–2008 BSS. Follow-up investigation of 36 premises and and Animal Parasitology, Saskatoon, the CFIA Lethbridge
over 10 000 animals resulted in the quarantine of 9 premises, Laboratory and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.
with 18 animals meeting the case definition for a confirmed The CFIA Operations, Programs and Science Branch staff
case (positive on cELISA and PCR). During the course of the involved in the disease outbreak investigations and response
investigation, it became apparent from epidemiological analyses are acknowledged for their hard work and dedication to work-
that the observed pattern of test results in British Columbia was ing towards a greater understanding of this disease in Canada.
dissimilar from the results observed in Manitoba.
Specifically, a large proportion of animals positive on the References
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