Anthrax situation in Kyrgyzstan stable, causes no concern

Anthrax situation in Kyrgyzstan is stable, it causes no concern. Consultant of the press center of the Ministry of Health Care Elena Bayalinova reported.

 According to her, spread in the social networks information about new reported cases of anthrax in the country does not correspond to reality.

As director of the Center of Quarantine and Especially Dangerous Infections Sabyrzhan Abdikarimov told to 24.kg news agency, since the beginning of the year, only three cases of cutaneous anthrax have been registered in the south of the Kyrgyz Republic (in Suzak district of Jalal-Abad region and in Alai district of Osh region). "Patients underwent comprehensive treatment and were discharged home after recovery. Currently, precautionary measures are taken, seminars and meetings with doctors to timely diagnose and treat the disease are held in medical institutions," he said.

Sabyrzhan Abdikarimov noted that there are soil anthrax hotbeds in the country. "They are under the responsibility of rural administrations and veterinary services. We wrote an official letter to the government representative in Osh region to tighten control over the hotbeds, about the need to have warning signs and so on. First, the cattle falls ill, then the people, involved in the slaughter of cattle can get the disease in case of skin damages. Such cases are registered with us every year. This is a curable disease in case of timely treatment," he stressed.

"People must first of all comply with safety measures. If you suspect the cattle is sick, you should immediately contact the veterinary service. Tellingly, the blood of these animals does not curdle, it is red, scarlet and flows like water. Such meat should be incinerated. As for us, in order to save, the people sell it to sausage shops or sell it cheaply to neighbors. When treated by heat, the bacteria are killed, but the spores can remain in the soil for centuries. And in favorable conditions (temperature rise) they activate, and the cattle, eating grass, is infected," Sabyrzhan Abdikarimov said.

He added that a good vaccine could protect a person for a year. Veterinarians, breeders, butchers, citizens participating in the slaughter are at the risk group. "However, in the last three years, we do not vaccinate because of lack of funds. And there is no vaccine, it is taken out of production," the head of the center said.

 Note, two people recently died in Karaganda region of Kazakhstan from anthrax.

 "We do not get meat from Kazakhstan. Nevertheless, the services were informed. Everything is under control," Sabyrzhan Abdikarimov said.