Knowledge, attitude and practice related to anthrax among livestock farmers in West Kazakhstan.

BACKGROUND: Anthrax is the most prioritized zoonotic disease in Kazakhstan due to its threatening potential to the public health and agricultural sector. Sporadic anthrax outbreaks are being reported annually among human and livestock populations throughout the country, with the highest frequency occurring in West Kazakhstan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a survey-based face-to-face interview. From January to May 2022, 489 randomly selected participants were surveyed in 6 districts of the Baiterek province in West Kazakhstan oblast to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding anthrax among community members. This is the first KAP study conducted relating to outbreaks of anthrax in Kazakhstan. RESULTS: In this study, most participants (74%) surveyed were males, and 40% of respondents had a secondary level education. Overall, 91% of the community respondents were engaged in agriculture and livestock rearing. Among these community members, cattle rearing was the most common (67%) occupation compared to other livestock species. Additionally, over a 50% of the population studied had no knowledge about the zoonotic nature of the disease, and about 82% and 87% of respondents were unaware of any animal and human anthrax symptoms, respectively. About 70% of the respondents were interested in vaccinating their livestock against anthrax. Individuals aged 45-54 displayed notably higher animal vaccination rates (45%; 95% CI: 38.4-52.0; p < 0.025) compared to those aged 25-34 and 65-74. Respondents residing in the Beles district (20%; 95% CI: 17.1-24.7; p < 0.005) exhibited a significantly higher level of awareness concerning the fatality of anthrax in contrast to participants from Bolashak. Roughly 61% of respondents held the belief that anthrax is a lethal disease. An overwhelming majority of the survey participants (99%) affirmed their non-participation in the slaughter of infected animals. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that KAP among community members relating to anthrax is low and requires swift implementation of education programmes in building awareness of anthrax under the One Health approach, especially in anthrax prone regions.

Approaches to reducing the toxic exposure hazard on the sheep population.

The sheep breeding industry forms a substantial proportion of the agriculture sector in the Republic of Kazakhstan and ensuring its sustainable functioning should be implemented in a number of national documents, which can be considered as the basis for increasing the level of national food security. This can be achieved not only by increasing livestock numbers, but also by conducting research that will reduce the incidence of disease in livestock. The novelty of the study is determined by the fact that in the extension study of autopsy of sheep affected by diseases, an analysis of factors that increase the incidence of melaphagosis was carried out. Almaty and Jambyl regions were selected as objects of research. The main effects of classical and innovative drugs that reduce the melophagosis incidence are presented. The analysis of the seasonal level of morbidity and the age composition of sheep herds was carried out. It has been determined that the treatment and prevention of melophagosis can be performed on the basis of a combination of 2 and 5 drugs, both chemically active and biogenic. The practical significance of the study suggests the possibility of a considerable reduction in the level of parasitic invasions in the steppe conditions of Kazakhstan and stabilisation of the produced level of sheep breeding.

Examination of organs and tissues of adult sheep grazed in an area with possible intoxication with rocket fue, Kazakhstan

The authors have conducted experiments to study the pathoanatomical and histological pattern of organs and tissues of adult sheep affected by unsymmetric dimethylhydrazine (UDMH). This highly toxic fuel was spilled on the territory of the Karsakpay and Ulytau districts of Karaganda region, Kazakhstan, because of the fall of the rocket 'Proton­M' after an unsuccessful launch from the Baikonur cosmodrome in 2007. In the experiment, the study group was consisted of 7 adult sheep that grazed in the area of possible intoxication with rocket fuel UDMH. The main objects of the study were histological preparations obtained from fixed structures. As the structures have a flat contrast and are poorly detected in the ordinary light microscope, the specially processed preparations were used. After preparing, the authors studied organs and tissues using a microscope, which allowed to reveal in detail the level of damage caused by intoxication and to establish the negative effect of UDMH on the internal organs. The group of sheep showed a high index of macroscopic signs of interstitial pneumonia (85.7 ± 14.3%), and histologically quite high index was granulomatous inflammation of liver (71.4 ± 18.4%). Kidneys also showed a high level of abnormalities.

Epizootic situation of Aujeszky's disease within the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Background: The relevance of the study is determined by the danger that this disease poses to all types of domestic animals in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as the significant damage caused by this situation to the entire agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Timely and competent analysis of the epizootic situation for this disease in the country will reliably determine the development tendencies of this condition and predetermine a set of measures that should be taken to combat this animal disease in agricultural regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Aim: This study examines the development of the epizootic situation of Aujeszky's disease within the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Methods: To achieve the set research goal, a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods are used. Results: The results of this research article can be of significant importance for livestock breeders in the Republic of Kazakhstan, who are working on raising the number of pigs and other types of domestic animals and are interested in a further increase in the number. Conclusion: From a practical standpoint, the significance of this study is conditioned by the possibility of searching and determining the main directions of the spread of the disease under consideration in agricultural lands and regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as taking a set of measures to eradicate such a disease and prevent its future occurrence in the country.