Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis

Since transmission occurs via tick bites, primary prevention is based on activities that promote avoidance of tick exposure. CDC: ehrlichiosis Opens in new window CDC: anaplasmosis Opens in new window Recommendations include:

• Wearing light-coloured clothing, which allows visualisation of crawling ticks

• Tucking trouser legs into socks

• Applying permethrin-based repellents

• Carefully inspecting the skin in known tick-infested areas. If ticks are visualised, removal of the tick, including its mouth parts, is recommended. Grasping ticks with tweezers or forceps close to the skin and pulling off gently with constant and even pressure can avoid leaving mouth parts attached.

Prophylaxis with antibiotics after known tick bites is controversial and has not been evaluated. Large-scale tick control strategies including the use of acaricides (pesticides that kill mites including ticks) have been shown to be effective in small trials. Anecdotal evidence suggests that oil of lemon eucalyptus could potentially be used as an effective tick repellent.

There is no need for screening of close contacts, because there is no human-to-human transmission. Preventative measures are limited to avoidance of further tick bites, as with primary prevention. Prophylaxis with antibiotics after tick bites is not recommended.