Signs of anthrax found at central market in Atyrau

Tengrinews.kz - Anthrax bacteria were found during an inspection of retail facilities at the Dina market, the largest in Atyrau. This was reported by the press service of the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of the Atyrau Region, according to Ak Zhaiyk.

Bacteria were found in the knife wash. The pavilion where the meat was sold was temporarily closed, and disinfection measures are being carried out on site.

According to the department, express testing confirmed the presence of the pathogen. As a result, it was decided to suspend the pavilion's operation until the results of laboratory tests were received. All necessary disinfection measures are carried out in accordance with sanitary standards. A list of individual entrepreneurs working in the pavilion has been compiled, who will be under medical supervision for 14 days.

"Earlier, sanitary service specialists checked more than 65 retail facilities in the city and took over 700 samples, which gave negative results. However, during the re-check, additional samples were taken, which are currently being tested at the national examination center. Their results will be known in the coming days," the department reported.

City residents are advised to buy meat that has passed veterinary inspection, thoroughly cook products at a temperature of at least 70°C, wash hands and tools after contact with raw meat, and avoid eating meat of unknown origin or insufficiently heat-treated products.

"It should be remembered that anthrax is not transmitted from person to person, but can only be transmitted from animals or their products. An epidemiological investigation is currently underway," the department's press service noted.

Earlier, a cow with anthrax died at the Atyrau cattle market. Later, one of the workers at the Asyl-Agro slaughterhouse fell ill with cutaneous anthrax. At the end of November, another colleague of his contacted doctors.