Epizootology and Epidemiology of Opisthorchiasis in Northern Kazakhstan

Abstract

The aim was to study the epizootological situation, as well as the characteristics of the territories of Kostanay and North Kazakhstan regions on fish opisthorchiasis. The object of the study is the reservoirs of Kostanay and the North Kazakhstan region (rivers Torgai, Tobol, and Ishim). To date, there is a need to develop monitoring methods to assess the epidemiological and epizootological significance of various environmental objects in the transmission of invasive material and the spread of invasions. These studies will contribute to the rationalization of veterinary and sanitary supervision. The conducted studies have allowed us to define the leading factors of the spread of opisthorchiasis in Kazakhstan. A diagnostic algorithm has been developed to improve its efficiency. The results can be used in the organizational and methodological aspects when conducting epidemiological surveillance of opisthorchiasis. The area of the pathogen of opisthorchiasis Opisthorchis felineus covers the territories of Pavlodar, Akmola, Karaganda, Aktobe, and West Kazakhstan regions, extending from the eastern to western borders of Kazakhstan. This disease, according to the Republican Epidemiological Station, has recently been trending upward among the population, which indicates an alarming epidemiological situation in Kazakhstan. As a result of epidemiological monitoring of the incidence of opisthorchiasis in the Kostanay and North Kazakhstan regions, it was found that over the past 10 years (2011-2021), 549 and 29 cases of opisthorchiasis had been registered, respectively. In the Kostanay region, the largest number of cases occurred in 2011 and 2012 (76 and 77 cases, respectively).