Survey of the incidence of anaplasmosis among Nigerian Zebu trade cattle.

Sera samples from 573 Nigerian Zebu trade cattle were evaluated by the rapid card agglutination test for antibodies to Anaplasma marginale between May and July 1977. The results showed 34 per cent reactors as against 66 per cent negatives. The above results showed a significant level of exposure to the infection among the Fulani cattle managed under a husbandry system in which there is no provision for tick control. The significance of this level of exposure to Anaplasma marginale in relation to the livestock industry of the country and the need for a nation-wide anaplasmosis survey are discussed.