OMM Redaksiyası
Central Asian countries have strengthened sanitary and quarantine controls in response to a possible infection case reported in Russia’s Irkutsk region. Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan took the measures after an employee of a plague research institute died in the city of Shelekhov.
The woman’s death became known in early October. A section of the Shelekhov district hospital was subsequently placed under quarantine, while people who had been in contact with her were put under medical observation.
As of October 5, 197 people were under observation. None had developed symptoms, and laboratory test results were negative. An epidemiological investigation is continuing to determine the possible source and circumstances of the infection.
Measures taken in Central Asian countries
In Kyrgyzstan, all sanitary and quarantine checkpoints along the state border have been placed on heightened alert. Specialists are screening people, vehicles and cargo crossing the border to prevent the entry and spread of infectious diseases, including particularly dangerous infections.
Kazakhstan is also monitoring the situation and has increased sanitary and quarantine controls at border crossings. According to the Ministry of Health, no one with a high temperature, symptoms of illness or suspected infection with a particularly dangerous disease has been identified on any mode of transport. The ministry currently assesses the risk of the infection being brought into the country as low.
Uzbekistan has stepped up sanitary controls and the readiness of relevant services. Officials said they are monitoring official information from Russia and the World Health Organization, including details on the diagnosis, possible sources and routes of transmission, as well as people who may have been in contact with the patient.
Tajikistan has also strengthened preventive measures at sanitary and quarantine checkpoints. Passengers crossing the state border are to have their temperatures checked with contactless thermometers, while checkpoint staff have been advised to use disposable protective clothing.
Investigation continues in Russia
Russian authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death. According to official information, none of the people under medical observation has shown symptoms, and laboratory test results are negative. Russia’s most recent case of plague was reported in Altai Krai in 2016.
Central Asian countries have close ties with Russia, and millions of people travel between the region and Russia every year, including for work. Kazakhstan shares a land border of more than 7,500 kilometers with Russia and has 30 road crossing points. These connections are among the reasons countries in the region are closely monitoring developments involving potentially dangerous infectious diseases in Russia.
