AKIPRESS.COM - Until 2014, the incidence rate of echinococcosis in Kyrgyzstan was increasing, but since 2014 the incidence started to decline. 1,185 patients were registered in 2014, 1,134 in 2015, 963 in 2016, 942 in 2017, and 906 in 2018, the Agriculture Ministry of Kyrgyzstan said.

This decrease is associated with comprehensive efforts carried out since 2013 within the Livestock and Market Development Project.

Comprehensive efforts include: quarterly deworming of dogs against echinococcosis - there are about 400 thousand domestic dogs in the country; purchase of de-worming tablets for dogs; mobilization of private veterinarians that carry out dogs’ de-worming; support of veterinary institutions, such as State Inspectorate for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Security, Kyrgyz Veterinary Research Institute, Veterinary Chamber; interaction with departments of the Ministry of Health; informing population about the ways of disease’s infection and prevention.

Currently, the data on dogs’ de-worming is contained in the DOGs electronic database. This program helps veterinary inspectors to have control over echinococcosis.

Epizootic condition and lack of effective veterinary services are main constraints for further development of livestock production. Animal diseases lead to large economic losses for the rural poor, representing a large group of livestock owners in the regions, and greatly affects the trading potential in regional and national markets. Most of the problems of food safety and food security are directly related to animal diseases, in particular, to echinococcosis.

Echinococcosis is a dangerous disease that affects mainly the liver and lungs. Dogs are the sources of human infection with echinococcosis. Therefore, to prevent the disease’s spreading, primary measure is timely de-worming of dogs, and compliance with veterinary and sanitary measures.