Authorities in the Karaganda region of Kazakhstan have imposed immediate quarantine measures, following the outbreak of epizootic lymphangitis, a contagious disease spreading among horses, Tengrinews reports.
The Outbreak: A Race Against Time
Umitker, Ulga, Tortkol, and Intali—these four villages now find themselves isolated. The invisible threat of epizootic lymphangitis has necessitated stringent containment measures. The stakes are high, as both animal welfare and public health hang in the balance.
Whispers began in the village of Umitker back in the spring of 2023. Concerned residents noticed unusual symptoms among their horses. The air carried unease, and conversations revolved around the mysterious ailment.
As the virus infiltrated neighboring villages, over 180 livestock succumbed to the disease taking a toll on the neighborhoods that rely on horses for carrying their belongings, farming, and meat.
This chronic granulomatous disease affects the skin, lymphatic vessels, and nodes of horses and other equid species. It is advisable to be careful when dealing with sickened animals, but otherwise, the disease does not affect humans.
At the Research Institute of Biological Safety Problems, scientists have been working to develop a vaccine against this disease and rigorous laboratory tests confirmed its efficacy.
"Laboratory results proved that it was epizootic lymphangitis. The vaccine against this disease was developed at the Research Institute of Biological Safety Problems. The drug has passed laboratory tests. We will vaccinate healthy animals with this vaccine," - says Yerzhan Beketbayev, head of the regional veterinary inspection.
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