Over 13,000 people have been bitten by ticks in Kazakhstan since the start of the season. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
According to the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Control, more than 13,000 people have sought medical help after tick bites since the beginning of the season. Over 90% of them received emergency prophylaxis against tick-borne encephalitis.
Chief State Sanitary Doctor Sarkhat Beisenova noted that in summer the risk of natural focal infections traditionally increases. In this regard, the Ministry of Health is carrying out a set of preventive measures. "We have strengthened epidemiological monitoring, provided medical organizations with the necessary stock of immunoglobulin, continue vaccination of risk groups and acaricidal treatments in endemic regions," he said.
Tick-borne encephalitis is a natural focal infection and is mainly registered in areas with natural foci of the disease. In Kazakhstan, such areas include Almaty city and its surroundings, Almaty and East Kazakhstan regions, Zhetysu region, Kokpekti district of Abay region, Sandyktau district of Akmola region, and Ayrtau district of North Kazakhstan region.
Every year, between 24 and 48 cases of tick-borne encephalitis are registered in the country. This year, 24 cases have been laboratory confirmed, which corresponds to long-term seasonal indicators, experts say.