Deputy Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov commented on the situation regarding the deaths of saiga antelopes and livestock in the West Kazakhstan Region (WKR). According to him, specialists are conducting surveys and laboratory tests, and there is no threat of mass livestock deaths.
WHAT IS KNOWN
According to Azat Sultanov, specialists from the Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, together with regional services, are continuing their work on the ground, reports Ulysmedia.kz.
According to him, cases of deaths of both saiga antelopes and farm animals have been recorded in the region. Initially, pasteurellosis was detected in some of the livestock. Specialists have now taken additional samples and are awaiting laboratory results.
"The situation is stable, there is no cause for concern regarding mass livestock deaths," the deputy minister stated.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE CAUSES
The authorities have not yet announced the final causes of infection in domestic livestock. Azat Sultanov noted that the possibility that the situation may not be solely related to the saiga antelopes is being considered.
Animal surveys and laboratory tests continue in the WKR. At the same time, routine vaccination of farm animals is being carried out in the region.
CONTEXT
In the WKR, the recording of saiga antelope deaths and cases of disease among domestic livestock continues. Earlier, authorities reported a preliminary diagnosis of pasteurellosis, and a working group from the veterinary control committee visited the region to assess the epizootic situation.
Meanwhile, as reported earlier by farmers, during the winter, animals in a number of the same settlements were diagnosed with "infectious rhinotracheitis." If the disease was initially identified incorrectly, this could have affected the treatment protocol and the absence of quarantine measures, which are usually applied for particularly dangerous infections.
However, Doctor of Veterinary Sciences Gaisa Absatirov points out a fundamental discrepancy. According to him, pasteurellosis is not accompanied by lesions in the oral cavity, lameness, or ulcers, which are currently being recorded in the animals.