Probable cause of anthrax outbreak in Akmola region revealed

Tengrinews.kz – A vaccine shortage may have caused a mass anthrax outbreak in the Akmola region, according to regional chief veterinary officer Talgat Zhunusov, as reported by KTK.

The outbreak occurred in the Atbasar district, where 13 people were infected with the deadly disease in June after coming into contact with infected livestock. The villagers were hospitalized, and the sick animals were cremated.

Currently, the situation is under control, but experts warn that the outbreak could happen again at any moment. There are around 200 livestock burial sites in the region. Vaccinating animals is considered the main method of protection against anthrax. However, right before the June outbreak, the Akmola region faced a shortage of vaccines. Even some animals that had been vaccinated fell ill.

Veterinarians now suspect the vaccine may have been of poor quality and are urging authorities to investigate both the shortage and the selection of medications. In the meantime, additional vaccinations are planned in the villages that were hit by the outbreak during the summer.

“As early as April, we had a shortage of anthrax vaccines for pigs. In May and June, we didn’t have vaccines for cattle, small livestock, or horses. After vaccination, immunity should have developed, and animals should not have gotten sick. But six animals died,” said Talgat Zhunusov, head of the Akmola Region Veterinary Department.