Kazakhstan has significantly strengthened veterinary controls along its borders with China and Russia following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture said.
Kazakhstan rejects claims of cross-border spread
Vice Minister of Agriculture Amangali Berdalin dismissed reports suggesting the disease may have spread to China from Kazakhstan.
«To date, the ministry has not received any official notifications from Chinese authorities that the disease could have spread from Kazakhstan,» Berdalin said. «Such information has not been confirmed.»
Outbreak reported in western China
In early April 2026, Chinese authorities identified 219 infected cattle in two herds in XUAR and the Gansu province. More than 6,200 cattle were culled as a result.
Domestic situation remains stable
Kazakh officials said the situation within the country remains stable, with no reported cases of foot-and-mouth disease.
The ministry also noted that a temporary ban on imports of susceptible animals and related products from China has been in place since 2018. Similar temporary restrictions were imposed on Russia from January to February 2026.
