Anthrax situation in neighboring countries is serious – Sanitary Committee

In response to rising concerns about anthrax outbreaks in neighboring countries, Uzbekistan will implement strict checks at 55 border checkpoints. This was announced by Farkhod Kurbanbekov, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Highly Dangerous Infectious Diseases at the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Wellbeing and Public Health.

According to Kurbanbekov, all necessary conditions have been established in Uzbekistan to prevent the spread of anthrax. Measures are in place to detect, diagnose, and treat suspected cases of the disease. Soil samples are also being collected from high-risk areas and are under constant laboratory monitoring.

To prevent the disease from entering Uzbekistan, individuals crossing 55 designated border points will undergo thorough screening. All required disease prevention protocols are actively being enforced at these locations.

For reference, anthrax is a dangerous infectious disease caused by the bacterium "Bacillus anthracis", which is primarily transmitted from animals to humans. It can affect the skin, lungs, or gastrointestinal system, but it does not spread from person to person. Humans are typically infected through contact with sick animals or consumption of contaminated meat. Even meat boiled at 100 degrees Celsius may be unsafe—only fully cooked meat with no pink areas inside is considered safe.

It should be recalled that anthrax cases were recently reported in neighboring Kazakhstan. Quarantine was declared in two villages of the Atbasar district in the Akmola region following confirmed infections.