Flooding in Uzbekistan: a growing concern for zoonotic outbreaks
As deluges slay livestock in their hundreds, and climate change promises more natural disasters, experts warn that outbreak preparedness strategies need to evolve.
- 4 July 2024
- 4 min read
- by Umida Maniyazova
Flooding in Uzbekistan raises the risk of outbreaks of zoonotic diseases, especially due to large-scale livestock deaths. Recent incidents, such as the flooding in the Surkhandarya region that resulted in the death of several hundred sheep, underscore the urgency of addressing this issue.
In Uzbekistan, as elsewhere, floods and droughts often lead to the loss of livestock. While the immediate impact of such events is devastating for farmers and the economy, there is a second-order public health dimension, with increased risk of zoonotic diseases being transmitted to humans from the carcasses of these deceased animals. Zoonotic diseases, such as anthrax, brucellosis, and foot-and-mouth disease, pose a serious public health concern and require proactive measures to mitigate their spread.
As noted by the Ministry of Ecology, Environment, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the government is making efforts to improve disease surveillance, expand laboratory diagnostic capabilities, and raise public awareness of zoonotic risks.
In early May, the Surkhandarya Regional Department of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change reported that 360 sheep had died due to severe flooding. Department specialists stated that in order to prevent the spread of various diseases from the sheep, the deceased livestock were buried after being treated with disinfectants.
The situation has been brought under the control of regional emergency-management and sanitary-epidemiological authorities.
As noted by the Ministry of Ecology, Environment, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the government is making efforts to improve disease surveillance, expand laboratory diagnostic capabilities, and raise public awareness of zoonotic risks. Special attention is also being given to developing and implementing effective protocols for the safe disposal of dead animals and thorough disinfection of affected areas.
Lessons from the past
According to the leader of the public association Ekolog.uz, Professor Nargis Kasimova, there is a need for greater attention from local authorities in rural areas when it comes to the burial of domestic animals that have died due to disease, disaster, or other circumstances.
She highlighted that in rural areas, deceased livestock are often buried by the residents themselves, as was the case during the Sardoba tragedy in 2020, when a dam in the Sirdaryo region failed following days of heavy storms. Despite reaching out to the Eco Party (which was then the Environmental Committee), no official count of the deceased animals was conducted. It was reported that people had to bury their animals upon returning to their homes, with assistance mainly provided by National Guard personnel.
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The Sardoba dam disaster was triggered by the breach of one of the dam walls of the Sardobin reservoir. An estimated half billion cubic metres of water poured through a breach onto villages and cotton fields, causing the evacuation of more than 110,000 people and affecting more than 35,000 hectares of land in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
By learning from past experiences to evolve its approach to zoonotic disease management, Uzbekistan can better safeguard public health, promoting a safer environment for both humans and animals.
Climate change and the rise of natural disasters
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), climate change is expected to have a profound impact on the frequency and severity of natural disasters. WHO has emphasised that climate change may lead to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as heavy rains and floods, including in Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan.
An appreciation of the context and history of previous zoonotic outbreaks is crucial to understanding the potential risks, and the importance of implementing proper protocols for disposal and disinfection.
By vaccinating domestic animals, experts say we can minimise the risk of spreading zoonotic diseases and better ensure the safety of both animals and humans in disaster-affected areas.
According to Professor Kosimova, the evolution of approaches to reducing livestock mortality and the risk of zoonotic disease transmission will be fundamental to future-proofing strategies. In addition, consultations with climate experts are crucial for contextualising the occurrence of floods.
Enhancing regional cooperation for zoonotic disease prevention
The Ministry of Ecology, Environment, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan emphasises the crucial importance of vaccinating domestic animals to prevent the transmission of zoonotic diseases from animals affected by natural disasters.
Vaccination helps protect both animals and humans from potential outbreaks of diseases such as leptospirosis, rabies and other waterborne illnesses. By vaccinating domestic animals, experts say we can minimise the risk of spreading zoonotic diseases and better ensure the safety of both animals and humans in disaster-affected areas.
In addition, it is worth noting that the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan has reminded the public that on 11 September 2022, the health ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan approved the Roadmap to Support Health and Well-being in Central Asia for 2022–2025. This roadmap ensures a joint response to crises, including the climate crisis.
At the national level, medical and veterinary services have identified zoonoses, which were previously given insufficient attention, as top priorities. Furthermore, the Central Asian Animal Health Network (CAAHN) has been established as a coordination mechanism specialising in zoonoses. Knowledge, information and actions at national and regional levels will determine how Central Asian countries can unite to address environmental, medical, and veterinary problems that pose risks to national, regional and global health security.
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