Parasitology

Biography

Biography: Zhanna Shapiyeva

Abstract

Malaria has historically represented the medical and social problem in Kazakhstan. Natural conditions are favorable for malaria transmission in the southeast of the country and the total population at risk is 4.5 million. Mainly imported and sporadic autochthonous cases were registered in the country after the malaria elimination in the USSR. In the 90th years, the political and economic destabilization in the former republics of the USSR, malaria epidemics in Tajikistan and Azerbaijan had a major impact on malaria situation in Kazakhstan. In 1992-2001, 467 cases of malaria were reported in the country, including 17 autochthonous cases. The last seven cases of autochthonous malaria were reported in 2000 and only 51 imported cases were registered during 2003-2013. Kazakhstan had demonstrated a strong political commitment to the Tashkent Declaration “The Move from Malaria Control to Elimination”, which was endorsed by the country in 2005. The country level malaria elimination initiative was supported by the Ministry of Health and the WHO Regional Office for Europe. In 2012, Kazakhstan has been certified by the WHO as malaria free. WHO certification has a political decision, a positive impact on the socioeconomic situation in the country and will promote international trade and tourism. The successful implementation of preventive measures and strong surveillance were preceded for WHO decision. At present, malaria related activities include disease prevention, training, surveillance, operational research and community education. For today, the main strategy of malaria related activities in country is disease control and prevention of malaria reintroduction.