Representational photo showing a newborn calf being licked by its mother in the area where inmates work caring for livestock as part of the "Zero Leisure Plan," at the Santa Ana Preventive and Penal Enforcement Center in Santa Ana, El Salvador, on June 6, 2025. (Photo by MARVIN RECINOS / AFP)
Astana: Kazakhstan has reported a sharp decline in livestock illnesses, with cases falling by 68.1 percent in the first five months of 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, the Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency reported on Wednesday.
The decline was attributed to fewer cases of brucellosis, rabies, anthrax and emphysematous carbuncle. Over the past three years, animal illnesses have dropped by 49.1 percent, according to the ministry.
As part of a national disease prevention program, Kazakhstan plans to procure vaccines for 22 infectious livestock diseases this year. Domestic production now covers 74.4 percent of vaccine demand, with efforts underway to localize more diagnostic tools.
In addition, veterinary infrastructure is being upgraded, with 113 new facilities completed in 2024 and plans to build 353 more clinics, 82 animal burial sites, and 28 slaughterhouses by year-end.
The government is also investing in laboratory capacity, allocating 3.8 billion tenge (about 7.46 million U.S. dollars) for new testing equipment, with another 7.2 billion tenge (about 14.14 million U.S. dollars) to follow.
