THE CURRENT SITUATION OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS IN THE REGIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, tuberculosis remains a significant zooanthroponotic challenge globally, including within the Republic of Kazakhstan. Despite systematic preventive and eradication measures, the causative agent is periodically detected in cattle. The infection frequently manifests in a latent form without characteristic clinical signs, which substantially complicates timely diagnostic detection. Current statistical data indicates that the intradermal tuberculin test identifies approximately 79.3% of infected animals; however, a probability remains that up to 20.7% of infected individuals may persist within a herd. These inherent diagnostic limitations hinder an objective assessment of the epizootic situation at the level of regions, districts, and rural settlements. Consequently, a comprehensive study was conducted to analyze the epizootic and epidemiological dynamics of tuberculosis across the various regions of Kazakhstan.

An analysis of official veterinary statistics from the Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision for the 2021–2023 period revealed that bovine tuberculosis was officially registered in two specific regions: Akmola and Karaganda. Conversely, data from the National Center for Public Health indicates that human tuberculosis is reported in all regions of the country. A notable increase in human incidence was recorded in North Kazakhstan (16.1%), Almaty (10.8%), Zhetysu (9.6%), and the city of Astana (2.4%). Thus, the epidemiological situation remains relatively tense, even though many regions are officially considered free from bovine tuberculosis. Occasional control slaughter of tuberculin-positive animals does not fully guarantee the elimination of the pathogen from a herd. It is probable that the causative agent persists in certain territories. Under such circumstances, ensuring the complete detection of infected animals requires considering the state of anergy and conducting additional diagnostic investigations to clarify the nature of these reactions.