Uzbek TV
October 18
. Shoumarov, chief physician at the State Epidemiological Inspection
Centre: "Today there are frequent media
reports of anthrax occurrences in the USA, Germany, Portugal and other
European countries. Apparently, roughly speaking, their health
personnel were not ready to deal with the infection, as no anthrax cases have
been reported in these countries for many years.
"The epidemiological situation in countries bordering Uzbekistan is far from perfect. At present, there have been several cases of anthrax in neighbouring countries such as Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan.
"We can resist the bacillus if we carry out all preventive measures. Every year 35-hour training courses are held for medical personnel in the country.
"At present the republic has the necessary amount of widely-effective antibiotics, vaccines and diagnostic procedures. A risk group is being vaccinated, which includes agricultural, livestock and farm workers, shepherds and butchers. Preventive measures are being carried out among animals as well as people.
"Public health checkpoints are operating at the border to prevent especially dangerous infections, anthrax in particular, penetrating into our territory. They are regularly checking animals and meat products crossing the border.
"Today we have ensured a stable epidemioligical situation in the republic with regard to anthrax."