Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) reported that as a result of the floods, 10 anthrax burial sites have been flooded. The department assures that the risk of particularly dangerous infections is absent. But things are not so clear-cut.
According to the Vice-Minister of the MoA, Azat Sultanov, laboratory tests of soil samples from the flooded burial sites yielded a negative result. It is noted that active vaccination against anthrax, emphysematous carbuncle, foot-and-mouth disease, and other particularly dangerous animal diseases is underway in the regions.
Remarkably, just 10 days ago, according to media reports, different figures and prospects were cited at a briefing by the 'Central Communications Service'. As Uralsk Week reported, in the West Kazakhstan region alone, meltwater flooded 8 livestock burial pits and 14 anthrax burial sites.
At that time, according to the head of the region's veterinary and sanitary safety, Nurkaiyr Kusaiynov, it was reported that the risk of animal infection exists, as the causative agent of the disease can persist in the soil. True, later the media for some reason removed the material from the site.
At the same time, the official representative of the MoA, Olzhas Tlebaldin, assured that the burial sites of animals dead from anthrax are sealed, since after the animal's death the carcass is burned, the ash is buried, and a concrete sarcophagus is created, which is lined with disinfectants.
"Annual monitoring for the presence of spores in these areas has so far not revealed a single case of spores reaching the surface", the media quoted Tlebaldin as saying.
He also added that, unlike anthrax burial sites, livestock burial pits are intended for the disposal of animals that have died from non-contagious diseases. Therefore, in the event of their flooding, the likelihood of particularly dangerous infections arising is absent.
As of today, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, the epizootic situation in the country is stable, and the department is constantly monitoring it. But which of the officials to believe still remains a mystery.