Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging disease in cattle in Kazakhstan and the means of transmission remains uncertain. In the current study, acquisition of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV) by Stomoxys species following intrathoracic inoculation was demonstrated under laboratory conditions. Flies were injected with a virulent LSDV strain into the thorax region to bypass the midgut barrier. The fate of pathogen in the hemolymph of the flies was further examined using PCR and Virus isolation tests. LSDV was isolated from all three Stomoxys species immediately and up to 24h post intrathoracic inoculation while virus DNA was detectable up to 7d post intrathoracic inoculation.

Background and Aim: Poultry meat is an excellent animal protein source accessible to many low-income families in developing countries. It is also part of a balanced diet and contains valuable nutrients necessary for maintaining human health. The poultry sector implements improved processes to increase the quality and nutritional value of poultry meat. This study aimed to determine the influence of licorice root extract on the amino acid, fatty acid, vitamin, mineral composition, nutritional value, and productivity of quail meat. Materials and Methods: Two groups were formed from Japanese quails: A control group and one experimental group, each consisting of 50 individuals. Quails from both the experimental and control groups received the same complete diet. Quails in the experimental group had licorice root extract added to their water at a dosage of 10 g/L, starting from the age of 3 days to 42 days of growth. At 42 days of age, 30 birds from each group were slaughtered to examine their meat productivity and chemical composition. The quail carcasses were analyzed for the following parameters: Live weight, carcass weight, nutritional value, mineral substances, vitamin content, fatty acid composition, amino acid composition, and amino acid score. Results: This study demonstrated that quails in the experimental group receiving water with licorice extract exhibited higher indicators than those in the control group. Calcium (21.05%), magnesium (20.83%), and phosphorus (23.53%) were the most elevated mineral substances in the meat of the experimental birds. Vitamins E (22.22%) and C (20.0%) showed the greatest increase in vitamin content. The fatty acid composition parameters 17:0 margaric acid (8.16%), 18:3 linolenic acid (6.25%), and 20:4 arachidonic acid (4.49%) showed the highest increase. There was a clear increase in the amino acids valine (4.61%), lysine (4.32%), threonine (5.99%), tryptophan (4.87%), phenylalanine (5.87%), and cysteine (14.17%). The application of licorice root extract also positively impacted the amino acid score of quail meat, except for leucine, which remained within the range compared with the control group. Quails in the experimental group weighed 7.96% more live weight before slaughter than the controls. Moreover, the carcass weight was in favor of the experimental group (8.59%). Conclusion: The use of licorice root extract positively influences the quality and biological value of quail meat. Data on amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, trace elements, and other important components of quail meat will significantly expand our understanding of the biological value of licorice root extract. These findings can be used in the formulation of balanced diets for children and adults and highlight the importance of this issue. Keywords: amino acids, licorice root extract, minerals, quails, vitamins

Echinococcosis is one of the most dangerous parasitic diseases common to humans and animals. In Kazakhstan, echinococcosis is widespread in animals. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and biological characteristics of echinococcosis in agricultural animals, dogs, wild carnivores, and rodents in the Western region of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Background and Aim: Mycotoxins produced by toxigenic fungi remain a major challenge in poultry production and global food safety. Contamination of poultry feed with aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, T-2 toxin, zearalenone, and other emerging mycotoxins is frequently reported worldwide, particularly under intensive production systems and changing climatic conditions. This review summarizes current evidence published between 2020 and 2025 on the occurrence, ecological drivers, toxicological effects, environmental and occupational exposure, food safety risks, analytical detection methods, and mitigation strategies of mycotoxins in poultry production within a One Health framework. Recent studies indicate that multi-mycotoxin contamination is common in poultry feeds, and emerging and masked mycotoxins may remain undetected by routine analytical approaches, thereby increasing the risk of underestimating exposure. Mycotoxins adversely affect poultry health through hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, intestinal barrier disruption, microbiome dysbiosis, impaired reproductive performance, and reduced productivity. In addition, residues of several mycotoxins have been detected in meat and eggs, raising concerns regarding consumer safety. Airborne fungal spores and contaminated dust in poultry houses also represent important occupational hazards for poultry workers. Advances in analytical technologies, particularly Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry, biosensors, molecular diagnostics, and multiplex detection systems, have improved the sensitivity and reliability of mycotoxin monitoring. Various mitigation approaches, including feed hygiene management, adsorbents, probiotics, biological detoxification, and enzymatic degradation, have shown potential to reduce contamination and minimize toxic effects. However, the complete elimination of mycotoxins remains difficult due to the complexity of fungal ecology and the widespread occurrence of co-contamination. Overall, this review highlights the importance of integrated surveillance, improved feed management, advanced detection systems, and coordinated mitigation strategies within a One Health approach to reduce the impact of mycotoxins on poultry health, environmental safety, occupational exposure, and food security. Keywords: aflatoxins, climate change, food safety, masked mycotoxins, multi-mycotoxin contamination, occupational exposure, One Health, poultry production.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging transboundary viral disease of cattle originating from the African continent. Here we describe the first LSD outbreak reported in the Republic of Kazakhstan, in July 2016. Initially, LSD was reported in a cattle farm located 49 km from Kazakh –Russian border in, Atyrau Oblast in West Kazakhstan. Subsequently, the disease spread to neighbouring farms situated within the same district. Following a preliminary investigation, the local State Veterinary Service declared a strict quarantine according to the State Contingency Plan, along with immediate total stamping out and cattle movement restrictions. During the outbreak, the number of affected cattle within an epidemiological unit reached 459 cattle out of registered 3557 susceptible cattle with 12.90% morbidity and 0.96%, mortality. This manuscript presents the epidemiological situation, the diagnosis, the control measures including mass vaccination and the stamping out campaign.s

Background and Aim: Freshwater fish are an important source of high-quality protein, essential amino acids, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. However, contamination of aquatic ecosystems with toxic elements and radionuclides may compromise both food safety and the nutritional and biochemical integrity of fish. This study aimed to evaluate the association between toxic elements, radionuclides, and biochemical degradation of freshwater fish marketed for human consumption in West Kazakhstan. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from April to September 2025. A total of 800 samples were analyzed, including 500 fresh freshwater fish specimens representing five species and 300 processed fish products collected from retail outlets supplied by 15 water bodies and one aquaculture facility. Concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) were determined using validated standard methods. Radionuclide activity of cesium-137 (Cs-137) and strontium-90 (Sr-90) was also measured. For biochemical analysis, fish were divided into a control group (no detectable contamination; n = 50) and a contaminated group (low-dose Pb and/or Cd detected; n = 50). Nutritional composition, mineral profile, vitamin content, amino acid composition, and fatty acid profiles were analyzed using standardized laboratory techniques. Statistical analysis included effect size estimation, false discovery rate correction, and multivariate modeling. Results: Pb and Cd were detected in fish from 7 of 15 water bodies, with localized exceedances reaching 1.15 mg/kg and 0.245 mg/kg, respectively. As and Hg were not detected, while radionuclide activity remained within permissible limits. Compared with the control group, contaminated fish showed significant reductions in lipid content (−26.3%) and energy value (−12.7%), along with decreases in essential minerals, vitamins, and total amino acid content (−15.8%) (p ≤ 0.05). Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, were markedly reduced. Multivariate analysis confirmed that contamination status was an independent predictor of biochemical deterioration irrespective of species. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that compliance with regulatory contaminant limits does not guarantee preservation of nutritional quality. Chronic low-dose exposure to Pb and Cd is associated with substantial biochemical degradation of fish muscle tissue, even when organoleptic quality remains acceptable. These results highlight an overlooked dimension of food safety and support the integration of biochemical and nutritional indicators into routine monitoring frameworks to improve consumer protection. Keywords: biochemical degradation, cadmium contamination, food safety, freshwater fish, heavy metal toxicity, nutritional quality, public health risk, West Kazakhstan.