Dana A. Alibekova

In 2023–2025, comprehensive monitoring of West Nile fever (WNF) was conducted across 14 regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan to assess virus circulation in natural foci. The study included the main potential reservoirs and vectors of the pathogen, namely wild migratory birds, mosquitoes, ixodid ticks, and bats. A total of 362 biological samples from wild birds, 84 samples from bats, 679 ticks, and 1,554 mosquitoes were examined. Laboratory diagnostics were performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers specific to West Nile virus. According to the results, West Nile virus RNA was detected exclusively in wild birds—in 5 of 362 samples, corresponding to a prevalence of 1.38 % (95 % CI: 0.45–3.19 %). No West Nile virus RNA was detected in samples obtained from mosquitoes, ticks, or bats. Positive samples were detected in wild birds from the Pavlodar and Karaganda regions. The obtained data confirm the leading role of migratory birds in the introduction of West Nile virus into the territory of Kazakhstan and indicate the need for continued systematic epizootiological and molecular monitoring to assess the risk of the formation and maintenance of natural infection foci.

This study presents the results of evaluating the specificity of primers and probes developed for a multiplex real-time PCR test system designed for the detection of avian influenza and Newcastle disease. To assess specificity, RNA samples from Newcastle disease virus, avian influenza virus type A, and infectious bronchitis virus of chickens were used. As positive controls, plasmid DNAs containing fragments of the M gene (Newcastle disease virus) and NP gene (avian influenza virus) were employed, while deionized water served as a negative control. The optimized amplification program included a reverse transcription step, denaturation, and 45 cycles of real-time PCR with registration of fluorescent signals. The results demonstrated that the developed primers and probes provided selective detection of the target genomic fragments of viruses without cross-reactions or false-positive signals. Additionally, a comparison with commercial kits PCR-GRIPP-A-FACTOR and PCR-NEWCASTLE-FACTOR confirmed the reliability and reproducibility of the obtained data. Therefore, the developed test system is characterized by high specificity and can be recommended for practical use in veterinary diagnostics.

This study presents the first investigation of West Nile virus (WNV) seroprevalence among farmed horses in Kazakhstan. In 2024, a total of 368 serum samples were collected from horses across 106 settlements in 10 regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), antibodies to WNV were detected in 32 horses (8.7%; 95% CI: 6.2–12.0%) from six regions. Among the seropositive animals, 26 (81.25%) were females and 6 (18.75%) were males, ranging in age from 1 to 19 years. No statistically significant association between sex and the presence of antibodies to WNV was found in any of the six regions. Significant differences between age groups were observed in Aktobe (χ² = 12.16; p = 0.002) and Turkestan (χ² = 4.20; p = 0.040). In the remaining regions (Almaty, Zhetisu, West Kazakhstan, and Atyrau), no significant age-related differences were recorded (p > 0.05). These findings confirm the circulation of WNV among horse populations in Kazakhstan and highlight the practical value and effectiveness of using horses as sentinel indicators for WNV surveillance.

Hyalomma ticks are known for their ability to transmit a wide range of pathogens, posing a significant threat to both human and animal health. The viral communities associated with Hyalomma asiaticum ticks in Kazakhstan remain largely unexplored. Using high-throughput sequencing on the Ion Torrent platform, nine RNA viruses belonging to seven families were identified. These viruses were associated with H. asiaticum ticks collected in 2024 in southern Kazakhstan. The detected viruses—including Bole tick virus 1 (Phenuiviridae), Bole tick virus 3 (Chuviridae), Bole tick virus 4 (Flaviviridae), Hubei toti-like virus 24 (Totiviridae), Kashgar totiv tick virus 1 (Totiviridae), Lonestar tick totivirus (Totiviridae), Qingyuan parti tick virus 1 (Partitiviridae), and Taishun tick virus (Rhabdoviridae)—had previously been reported only in China. This study provides the first documented evidence of the presence of RNA viruses previously unreported in Kazakhstan within H. asiaticum tick populations. A newly isolated Kazakhstan strain of Wad Medani virus (Sedoreoviridae), identified from H. asiaticum, shares genetic similarities with Russian strains, suggesting a common epidemiological landscape across Central Eurasia. The detection of novel RNA viruses in Kazakhstan highlights the need for ongoing surveillance, as their impact on human and animal health remains insufficiently understood.

The study aimed to conduct monitoring research to determine the seroprevalence of equine rhinopneumonitis in Kazakhstan. PCR analysis of the samples showed negative results; however, serological analysis revealed the presence of antibodies to equine herpesvirus (EHV) in several regions. Based on the results of the serological analysis, antibodies to EHV serotype 1 were detected in the Akmola, Abay, East Kazakhstan, Jambyl, Almaty, and Jetisu regions. The seroprevalence of this virus ranged from 66.6% to 100% in the Akmola, Abay, East Kazakhstan, and Almaty regions, while in the Jetisu and Jambyl regions, it was 50% or less. The results of the ELISA test showed the presence of antibodies to EHV serotype 4 in almost all regions, except for the Ulytau, Kostanay, and Pavlodar regions. Compared to EHV-1, the seroprevalence of EHV-4 was higher in almost all regions of Kazakhstan. The seroprevalence in the Akmola, Abay, East Kazakhstan, Almaty, Jetisu, West Kazakhstan, Aktobe, Kyzylorda, Jambyl, and Karaganda regions was 100%. Meanwhile, in the Atyrau, North Kazakhstan, Mangystau, Ulytau, and Kostanay regions, antibodies were almost undetectable.

The causative agents of viral diseases among birds are widespread in nature. The spread of Newcastle among wild and domestic bird populations requires veterinary services to take effective control measures based on molecular epidemiological data.The article presents data from monitoring studies on Newcastle disease in various regions of Kazakhstan. Collection of samples from poultry and wild birds was carried out in private farmsteads in different regions of Kazakhstan.In order to determine the immune status of birds in individual farms and poultry farms, we conducted studies on the presence of antibodies to the Newcastle disease virus in the blood of birds.It has been established that 82.3% of birds from private farms and poultry farms have antibodies to the Newcastle disease virus in the blood sera. In Kostanay, Akmola, Turkestan and North Kazakhstan regions, the percentage of immune birds is above 80%, in Zhambyl, Kyzylorda, West Kazakhstan, Almaty and Abay the percentage of immune birds is within 55-72.1%.In Aktobe and Atyrau regions, 1-32% of birds have antibodies to the ND virus. It is likely that in these areas birds are not vaccinated across the entire population. The risk of developing ND is average.

According to the International Bureau of Epizootics, until recently, the territory of Kazakhstan was considered a free zone from foot-and-mouth disease in animals with vaccination, but there is a risk of the disease virus being introduced from cross-border countries into our republic. Therefore, the veterinary service and scientific community of our state need to conduct constant monitoring with seromonitoring and screening of the immune status of animals throughout the country.It is known that outbreaks of foot and mouth disease cause significant damage to livestock production and the economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan when the virus is likely to be introduced from disadvantaged countries led to the emergence of multiple foci of infection in the country and huge costs for their elimination.The introduction of foot-and-mouth disease into the regions of Kazakhstan that are part of the zone free from foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination, officially recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health, led to the suspension of the status of the entire zone, which in turn led to restrictions on both the export of livestock products and grain, and on trade inside the countryThe purpose of our study is to determine the seroprevalence of foot and mouth disease in Kazakhstan for 2021-2023.It has been established that there is still a high risk of introducing new genotypes of the foot-and-mouth disease virus into the territory of our country.

Bats carry thousands of viruses from 28 different families. To determine the presence of various pathogens in bat populations in Kazakhstan, 1149 samples (393 oropharyngeal swabs, 349 brain samples, 407 guano) were collected. The samples were collected from four species of bats (Vespertilio murinus, Nyctalus noctula, Myotis blythii, Eptesicus serotinus) in nine regions. The Coronavirus RNA was found in 38 (4.75%) samples, and the rabies virus in 27 (7.74%) samples from bats. Coronaviruses and the rabies virus were found in bats in six out of nine studied areas. The RNAs of SARS-CoV-2, MERS, TBE, CCHF, WNF, influenza A viruses were not detected in the bat samples. The phylogeny of the RdRp gene of 12 samples made it possible to classify them as alphacoronaviruses and divide them into two groups. The main group (n = 11) was closely related to bat coronaviruses from Ghana, Zimbabwe and Kenya. The second group (n = 1) was closely related to viruses previously isolated in the south of Kazakhstan. The phylogeny of the N gene sequence from a bat from west Kazakhstan revealed its close relationship with isolates from the Cosmopolitan group of rabies viruses (Central Asia). These results highlight the need for a continuous monitoring of volatile populations to improve the surveillance and detection of infectious diseases.

Ticks carry and transmit a wide variety of pathogens (bacteria, viruses and protozoa) that pose a threat to humans and animals worldwide. The purpose of this work was to study ticks collected in different regions of Kazakhstan for the carriage of various pathogens. The collected ticks were examined by PCR for the carriage of various pathogens. A total of 3341 tick samples parasitizing three animal species (cattle, sheep and horses) were collected at eight regions of Kazakhstan. Eight tick species were found infesting animals: Dermacentor marginatus (28.08%), Hyalomma asiaticum (21.28%), Hyalomma anatolicum (17.18%), Dermacentor reticulatus (2.01%), Ixodes ricinus (3.35%), Ixodes persulcatus (0.33%), Hyalomma scupense (12.87%) and Hyalomma marginatum (14.90%). Ticks collected from livestock animals were examined for the pathogen spectrum of transmissible infections to determine the degree of their infection. Four pathogen DNAs (lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), Coxiella burnetti, Teileria annulata, and Babesia caballi) were detected by PCR in Dermacentor marginatus, Hyalomma asiaticum, Hyalomma scupense, Hyalomma anatolicum. The infection of ticks Dermacentor marginatus and Hyalomma asiaticum collected on cattle in the West Kazakhstan region with LSDV was 14.28% and 5.71%, respectively. Coxiella burnetti was found in the ticks Dermacentor marginatus (31.91%) in the Turkestan region and Hyalomma anatolicum (52.63%) in the Zhambyl region. Theileria annulata was found in ticks Hyalomma scupense (7.32%) and Dermacentor marginatus (6.10%) from cattle in the Turkestan region. Babesia caballi was isolated only from the species Hyalomma scupense (17.14%) in the Turkestan region. There were no PCR-positive tick samples collected from sheep. RNA/DNAs of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), African swine fever virus (ASFV), Hantavirus hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), and chlamydia pathogens were not found in ticks. The new data give a better understanding of the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens and the possibility of the emergence of tick-borne animal diseases in Kazakhstan.