During the period 2013-2023, 917 cases of rabies among animals were registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Out of these, the number of cases in farm animals amounted to 515, in wild animals to 50 and in pets to 352. Data on rabies cases were obtained from the Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision of Kazakhstan, as well as during expeditionary trips. This research was carried out to demonstrate the use of modern information and communication technologies, geospatial analysis technologies in particular, to identify and visualize spatio-temporal patterns of rabies emergence among different animal species in Kazakhstan. We also aimed to predict an expected number of cases next year based on time series analysis. Applying the ‘space-time cube’ technique to a time series representingcases from the three categories of animals at the district-level demonstrated a decreasing trend of incidence in most of the country over the study period. We estimated the expected number of rabies cases for 2024 using a random forest model based on the space-time cube in Arc-GIS. This type of model imposes only a few assumptions on the data and is useful when dealing with time series including complicated trends. The forecast showed that in most districts of Kazakhstan, a total of no more than one case of rabies should beexpected, with the exception of certain areas in the North and the East of the country, where the number of cases could reach three. The results of this research may be useful to the veterinary service in mapping the current epidemiological situation and in planning targeted vaccination campaigns among different categories of animals.

Brucellosis continues to pose a substantial zoonotic risk in Kazakhstan; however, evidence describing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of cattle farmers and veterinary personnel remains limited. A cross-sectional study was undertaken between May and October 2024 across twelve administrative locations nationwide. Structured questionnaires were administered to 506 cattle farmers and 33 veterinary professionals, and the data were evaluated using descriptive analyses and univariable logistic regression. Awareness of brucellosis in cattle was relatively high among farmers, yet understanding of its implications for human health was markedly lower. In contrast, animal health workers demonstrated consistently higher levels of knowledge (OR: 12.6; 95% CI: 9.88–16.34; p < 0.001). Several practices associated with zoonotic transmission were commonly reported by farmers, including handling aborted materials without protective gloves, consumption of unpasteurised milk, and leaving reproductive tissues in grazing areas. Nevertheless, most farmers expressed readiness to adopt preventive measures, particularly cattle vaccination and the use of basic protective practices. These findings reveal important gaps between awareness and behavior that may contribute to continued transmission of brucellosis. Strengthening farmer education through locally tailored, One Health-based interventions offers a practical pathway to improving brucellosis control and enhancing cattle productivity in Kazakhstan.

Background and Aim: Salmonella Abortusequi is a significant etiological agent of equine abortions, yet limited genomic data exist, particularly in Central Asia. This study aimed to perform the first genome-wide characterization and phylogenetic analysis of three S. Abortusequi strains isolated from equine abortions in different regions of Kazakhstan. Materials and Methods: Whole-genome sequencing was conducted on three isolates using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Genomic assemblies were annotated using SPAdes and Prokka, while phenotypic traits were predicted through BioNumerics. Antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence factors, and prophage elements were identified using established databases. Phylogenetic relationships were examined through whole-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (wgSNP) analysis against a global panel of S. Abortusequi and related serovars. Results: All isolates displayed high genomic similarity and were classified as Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Abortusequi with an antigenic profile of 4:a:e,n,x. Twelve Salmonella pathogenicity islands and three prophages were identified, with ST64B present in all isolates. The ac(6’)-Iaa gene, which confers resistance to aminoglycosides, was detected in all strains. Each genome encoded 101–109 virulence factors, with 94 conserved across isolates. wgSNP analysis confirmed close phylogenetic clustering of the Kazakh strains, with regional variation between northern and southern isolates. Prophage-associated virulence elements, particularly virulence factor protein (SseK), were also documented. Conclusion: This study reveals the genetic uniformity and virulence potential of S. Abortusequi strains circulating in Kazakhstan. The presence of conserved resistance and virulence genes, including prophage-encoded elements, underscores the pathogenic risk posed by these isolates. These findings contribute valuable genomic data for surveillance, diagnosis, and control of salmonellosis in equine populations. Despite the limited sample size, the study establishes a foundation for future genomic epidemiological studies and targeted disease mitigation strategies. Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, equine abortion, Kazakhstan, pathogenicity islands, phylogenomics, Salmonella Abortusequi, whole-genome sequencing.

Background and Aim. In line with the One Health concept, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health, the global burden of rabies remains relevant given the current increase in zoonotic and vector borne diseases. For successful rabies control, monitoring the changing patterns of infection spread is vital. This paper is devoted to the spatial analysis of the spread of rabies among animals in Kazakhstan. Materials and Methods. The Spatial Autocorrelation (Moran’s I) and Anselin Local Moran’s I statistics of the Geoprocessing tool in ArcGIS Pro were used. Results. Several types of spatial distribution were noted: clusters in the northeast, south, and west of the country; sparse type in the border areas of the north and northwest; and random distribution in the central and southwestern regions. High-Low Outliers indicating sporadic outbreaks of rabies caused by the migration of infected animals, as well as Low-High Outliers indicating the containment of the epizootic due to preventive measures or natural barriers were also revealed. Conclusion. The study highlights the need to strengthen control over the spread of rabies, implement measures to prevent the migration of infected animals, and optimize vaccination and monitoring programs. The use of spatial analysis methods allows us to identify epidemiological patterns and develop effective strategies to combat the disease in regions with different risk levels.

Background and Aim. Abortion associated with equine salmonellosis is an infectious disease that significantly affects the productivity of herd-based horse breeding in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The disease is characterized by late term abortions and is associated with considerable economic losses in the agricultural sector. The aim of this study was to detect Salmonella DNA using molecular genetic methods. Materials and Methods. The study was based on pathological material collected from horses in nine regions of Kazakhstan during the period from 2023 to 2025. Results. PCR analysis revealed that the proportion of positive samples ranged from 25% to 33.3%, depending on the year. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of 309 equine serum samples detected antibodies to Salmonella abortus equi in 29 cases (10.6%). Microbiological investigations using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) confirmed the presence of Salmonella spp., as well as opportunistic microorganisms such as Enterobacter hormaechei, Pantoea agglomerans, and Escherichia hermannii. Conclusion. The obtained results confirm the circulation of the pathogen among horses and emphasize the need for ongoing epizootiological surveillance. Furthermore, they highlight the importance of continued molecular and genetic studies, including whole genome sequencing, to enhance understanding of the disease’s epidemiology and to optimize preventive measures.

This article presents the results of studies on helminthological diseases of carp species living in the rivers Nura, Tengiz, Birtaban, Shalkar, Uyaly, Sholak, Alkasor of the Korgalzhyn region. 226 studied fish samples were subjected to comparative monitoring using helminthological methods. When examining the fish of the reservoirs of the Korgalzhyn district of the Akmola region, 41.1% of the fish were found unfit for organoleptic indicators. As a result of laboratory studies, fish samples taken from the Sholak, Alkasor and Uyaly rivers were recognized as unsuitable, while the indicators of the studied fish from the Nura river and lakes Shalkar, Tengiz, Birtaban were within the normal range. According to the study, 6.4% of diplostomiasis in Lake Shalkar and 28.6% of opisthorchiasis in Lake Alkasor are affected by helminthiases. 16.6% postdiplostomiasis in the lakes Shalkar and Birtaban, 10.5% opisthorchiasis in the Nura River. In Lake Sholak, ligulase was 9.1% .