Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Healthcare is closely monitoring the epidemiological situation in Russia’s Irkutsk region following a reported suspected case of a particularly dangerous infectious disease.

Preventive measures have been introduced in Kazakhstan, including sanitary and quarantine controls at state border crossing points. No passengers arriving in the country have been identified with high fever, symptoms of illness or suspected particularly dangerous infectious diseases, Qazinform reports.

According to preliminary assessments, the risk of the infection being imported into Kazakhstan remains low. The assessment and preventive measures will be updated as official information becomes available.

The ministry urged people who develop symptoms after travelling to seek medical attention promptly and tell healthcare workers where they travelled and when. Citizens were also advised to rely on official sources for information.

Meanwhile, Russian specialists are conducting an epidemiological investigation. The final diagnosis has not yet been confirmed, while authorities are working to determine the source and circumstances of the suspected infection.

A total of 197 people who had contact with the suspected case are under medical observation. None has developed symptoms, and laboratory tests have been negative. Anti-epidemic measures are also being carried out at Shelekhov District Hospital.

On October 4, Russia’s Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) said the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the Irkutsk region, including Irkutsk and Shelekhov, remained stable. Rospotrebnadzor confirmed that no cases of plague had been detected.

The death of a 28-year-old woman in the region was attributed to pneumonia of undetermined etiology.