In Kazakhstan, the incidence of anthrax in the last 10 months of 2024 decreased by half compared to the same period last year, the press service of the Ministry of health of the Republic of Kazakhstan reported. In total, 17 cases were registered this year.
Anthrax is a particularly dangerous infectious disease that affects farm animals and wild animals, as well as humans. The disease often has a severe course and can lead to death. It takes place in a skin or generalized form, including septic, intestinal, and pulmonary forms. The causative agent of anthrax is the anthrax microbe, which persists in the soil for years. Infection occurs when there is contact with sick animals, their meat and animal products, as well as through the soil.
"The incubation period of the disease is from a few hours to 14 days, but most often symptoms appear 3-6 days after infection. These include general weakness, high fever, swollen lymph nodes, and increased heart rate. A person can be infected with anthrax from animals, which include cattle, horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, deer, camels," the National Center for public health of the Ministry of health of the Republic of Kazakhstan reported.
Infection can occur during Animal Care, slaughter, meat processing, as well as when working with animal products-skin, fur products, wool, bristles. In this case, spores can persist for years, including in the soil. Through contact with the ground, spores get into micro-injuries on the skin, which leads to the development of the skin type of anthrax.
"Skin type accounts for the vast majority (98-99 %) of all anthrax cases. The carbunculous form of the disease often occurs, around which a black, painless dense scab in the form of a clearly inflamed circle of red color appears. For the Prevention of anthrax, people with personal farm animals should observe personal hygiene measures, vaccinate animals, and not organize self - slaughter of sick (dead) animals without a veterinary certificate," the NSCP recommended.
Meat and meat products cannot be purchased from individuals who trade in unknown places where there is no sanitary and veterinary control. When buying meat in the markets, a "veterinary opinion" confirming the safety of the product must be required. Workers engaged in the processing, transportation and sale of livestock raw materials must observe personal hygiene and preventive measures.
An important measure to prevent this dangerous infection is the vaccination of animals.
Employees of meat processing plants, veterinary workers, employees of laboratories working with the causative agent of anthrax need to receive preventive vaccinations with the vaccine.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/dsm/press/news/details/876389