Authorities in one of Kazakhstan’s regions warn of potential epidemic risks

Tengrinews.kz – Deputy Akim of the Ulytau Region Zhanibek Nupirov spoke about the poor water quality in the region and warned of a possible epidemic risk.
The deputy regional akim addressed the government hour in the Mazhilis, where general transfer issues were being discussed. Among other regional problems, Nupirov highlighted the quality of drinking water and the deterioration of treatment facilities.

"The wastewater treatment facilities in Zhezkazgan were built in 1966, and 90 percent of them are worn out. Water is taken from an open reservoir. You’ve all seen the yellow water running from taps on social media (...) The sewage system in Zhezkazgan is 75 percent worn out, and in Satpayev it reaches 90 percent. We can’t deny that waste is once again ending up in the reservoirs from which the population drinks," said Zhanibek Nupirov.

According to him, this spring 16,800 saiga antelope deaths were recorded, some of which occurred in the water intake zone.

"This poses a risk of an epidemic. Although the methodology considers population size and climate, it does not account for sanitary-epidemiological risks and extreme environmental situations. This is another important factor in the effort to equalize the region’s development level. Factoring in reserve calculations would help partially resolve the issue," the deputy akim said.

Among waterborne infections—especially if dead animals enter aquifers or reservoirs—are anthrax, pasteurellosis, and botulism. However, the deputy akim did not specify which diseases are of concern.