What to know
Ehrlichioses are nationally notifiable conditions and cases should be reported to your state or local health department. 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.
Surveillance case definition
- Ehrlichioses are nationally notifiable conditions 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).
Case definition
The case definition for ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis were last updated in 2024. The ehrlichiosis and case definition was split into four categories:
- Ehrlichia chaffeensis infection
- E. ewingii infection
- E. muris eauclairensis infection
- Ehrlichia, other spp. or unspeciated
The anaplasmosis case definition includes Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections.
Case report form
- Confirmed and probable cases of ehrlichiosis 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).
- 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 ehrlichiosis testing
Serologic and PCR assays for the diagnosis of ehrlichiosis are available through many commercial and state laboratories. Routine testing should primarily use these testing options.
Samples may be submitted to CDC for confirmatory testing.
State Health Departments
- Specimens may be submitted to CDC for testing of rickettsial diseases, including ehrlichiosis.
- 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.
Non-US Healthcare Providers
- Non-US healthcare providers should consult CDC prior to submitting specimens for testing. For general questions about ehrlichiosis 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.
How to contact the Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch at CDC
Public health officials and healthcare providers should call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) for questions regarding ehrlichiosis and other rickettsial diseases. If a consultation with a CDC scientist specializing in rickettsial diseases is advised, your call will be appropriately forwarded.
Healthcare providers requiring an epidemiologic or clinical consultation will be forwarded to the epidemiologist on call. If you have questions about reporting a suspect case, please first consult your state health department.