What to know
Anaplasmosis is a nationally notifiable condition. Cases should be reported to your state or local health department according to local laws. A case report form for confirmed and probable cases may be submitted to CDC. Specimens may be submitted to CDC for diagnosis by state health departments. For general questions about anaplasmosis or other rickettsial diseases, please call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
Surveillance case definition
- Anaplasmosis is a nationally notifiable condition and cases should be reported to your state or local health department according to local laws.
- Cases are identified using a standardized case definition established by the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE).
- The case definition for anaplasmosis was last updated in 2024 and includes Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections.
Case report form
- Confirmed and probable cases of anaplasmosis are reported through the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System; states are also encouraged to submit additional information using the Tickborne rickettsial disease case report form (CRF) or onboarding the Lyme and Tickborne Rickettsial Diseases Message Mapping Guide.
- This form collects additional important information that might not otherwise be reported to CDC, such as information on how the diagnosis was made, and whether the patient was hospitalized or died.
- If a different state-specific form is already used to collect this information, this information can be submitted to CDC in lieu of a CRF.
- To submit information, email rzbepidiag@cdc.gov or fax it to 1-404-471-2737.
If you have questions about reporting a suspect case, please first consult your state health department.
How to submit specimens to CDC for anaplasmosis testing
Who may submit specimens to CDC
- Serologic and PCR assays for the diagnosis of anaplasmosis are available through many commercial and state laboratories. Routine testing should primarily use these testing options.
- Samples may be sent through a state health department to CDC for confirmatory testing.
- Learn about submitting specimens to CDC.
State health departments
- Specimens may be submitted to CDC for testing of rickettsial diseases, including anaplasmosis.
- For sample submission, please see instructions on the CDC Test Directory.
US healthcare providers
- US healthcare providers should submit specimens through their health department for testing. Do not send specimens directly to CDC.
- CDC policy requires that specimens be submitted through, or with the approval of, the provider's state health department.
- Please contact your state health department to assist you with specimen submission and reporting of an infected patient.
- Final reports of test results are returned to the state public health laboratory who is responsible for providing these reports to the primary submitter.
For general questions about anaplasmosis or other rickettsial diseases, please call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). Healthcare providers requiring an epidemiologic or clinical consultation will be forwarded appropriately to the epidemiologist on call. If you have questions about reporting a suspect case, please first consult your state health department.
Non-US healthcare providers
Non-US healthcare providers should consult CDC prior to submitting specimens for testing. For general questions about anaplasmosis or other rickettsial diseases, please call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). For specimen requirements and submission instructions, please see CDC Test Directory.