Market in Atyrau closed after anthrax case confirmed

Tengrinews.kz - A cow suspected of being infected with anthrax died at a livestock market in Atyrau, prompting the closure of the market for quarantine.

According to the Atyrau Territorial Inspection of the Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision, the cow was brought to the "AsylAgro" farm (the livestock market) in late October and placed in quarantine as per regulations. The animal died on November 12, and samples were taken to test for infections. On November 15, preliminary results indicated signs of anthrax.

The slaughterhouse on the premises has been temporarily closed, and quarantine measures were implemented on November 20. Vaccination of livestock is underway, and the facility is undergoing thorough disinfection. The Sanitary-Epidemiological Service is identifying individuals who may have had contact with the infected animal and is conducting health checks on the staff.

Veterinary authorities, in collaboration with the Department of Sanitary-Epidemiological Control, are working to identify the cause of the infection. Preventive measures include sampling meat products from local markets for testing.

The Ministry of Health noted that anthrax cases in Kazakhstan have decreased by half compared to the same period last year. In the first ten months of 2024, 17 cases were reported nationwide.

Anthrax is an acute, highly dangerous infectious disease affecting both humans and animals. It typically spreads from domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, camels, pigs, and horses. Human-to-human transmission is rare, with infections commonly occurring through breaks in the skin or, less frequently, via respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts.

The disease manifests in skin, intestinal, pulmonary, and septic forms. Skin infections generally have a favorable prognosis, while other forms often result in fatal outcomes.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent further spread of the disease.