Analysis of the Anthrax outbreak in the Akmola region of Kazakhstan

Abstract

Despite the ongoing preventive measures against anthrax, in Kazakhstan, as in other countries, this disease has not been eliminated. The system of supervision and control of anthrax provides for the identification of territories unfavorable for anthrax, the causes of animal diseases.

The purpose of the study is a retrospective analysis of the anthrax outbreak in the territory of Kazakhstan in the Akmola region in 2019 to identify the causes of the outbreak, and the expected risks of its occurrence in the future, to improve veterinary and sanitary measures.

Epizootological methods were used in the work, including a comparative historical and geographical description of anthrax outbreaks in the Akmola region.

During the investigation of the outbreak, it was found that the grazing of animals was carried out on different pastures. Infection of people occurred in the village of Olginka during the forced slaughter and cutting of two heads of cattle. According to the information, in the village of Olginka, in the first days of September 2019, a bull and a cow were slaughtered. The owners are residents of the village of Olginka. A few days after the slaughter of the animals, the villagers involved in the slaughter fell ill with anthrax.

When examining the landscape of the area, it was established that there are numerous colonies of rodent burrows throughout the pasture. According to local residents, a significant increase in the number of rodents was noted in 2019.

Presumably, the infection of animals on pastures occurred due to the activation of previously unidentified anthrax burials. The removal to the surface of deep layers of soil contaminated with anthrax spores due to the presence of numerous rodent burrows in the pasture. Employees of the committee of veterinary control and supervision of the region, as well as local veterinary specialists, are recommended to vaccinate farm animals twice a year.