Kyrgyzstan receives humanitarian aid to combat echinococcosis

Bishkek, Aug. 12, 2024. / Kabar/. The World Health Organization (WHO) in Kyrgyzstan transferred humanitarian aid in the form of 435 thousand tablets of "Albendazole 400 mg" to the Department of Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance.

This vital drug is necessary for the treatment of patients with cystic and alveolar echinococcosis and will soon be distributed to all healthcare organizations of the Kyrgyz Republic, the department said.

Echinococcosis, a parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus, often affects people through contact with domestic dogs and livestock. To prevent this serious disease, it is extremely important for dog and livestock owners to regularly deworm their animals. In addition, observing personal hygiene rules, including regular hand washing, is an effective way to avoid transmission of the infection. According to official data from the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance, from 800 to 1,500 cases of echinococcosis are registered in the country annually, including up to 200 patients with alveolar echinococcosis. Children and young people deserve special attention, as they account for a large proportion of 58% to 65% of patients admitted for surgical treatment. Postoperative relapses are observed in 32–38% of patients, and the mortality rate is from 2 to 6%.

One of the reasons for postoperative complications and relapses is the incomplete receipt of courses of anthelmintic treatment due to the difficulty of financial resources of the patients themselves to purchase the drug "Albendazole 400 mg".

"Thanks to this supply, all identified patients are able to receive the anthelmintic drug "Albendazole 400 mg" free of charge over the next two years, which will significantly reduce the incidence of complications, relapses and the burden of the disease in Kyrgyzstan," said Liviu Vedrasco, WHO representative in Kyrgyzstan.

"We are grateful for this important humanitarian aid, which will allow us to fully receive conservative and anti-relapse therapy and ensure the continued well-being of our patients. This aid not only solves urgent public health problems, but also supports long-term efforts to combat and prevent this disease," added Director of the Department of Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance Abdykadyr Zhoroev.