MOSCOW/ALMATY, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The livestock animals affected by the outbreak of animal diseases of pasteurellosis and rabies in Russia's Novosibirsk region will be culled, according to a regional government official on Thursday.
"It is now clear that about 170 households are set to have their livestock seized," said Sergei Neshumov, head of the information department of the regional government, adding that related compensations for the affected households are being issued.
A state of emergency has been imposed regionwide to accelerate the containment of the spread of the cited animal diseases, with quarantine work starting at the beginning of this year in the five districts identified with the outbreaks, according to the region's agriculture ministry.
The seizure of livestock animals was underway in the affected areas, according to the ministry on Monday.
Kazakhstan, which borders Russia's Novosibirsk region, has strengthened veterinary controls and introduced temporary restrictions on the import and transit of livestock and animal products from Russia, the Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency reported on Thursday.
The Kazakh agriculture ministry said veterinary control posts along the border are operating under heightened measures, including strict cargo inspections and vehicle disinfection. The measures will remain in place until the situation in Russia improves.
Russia's TASS news agency has reported that a state of emergency was declared on Feb. 16 in the Novosibirsk region, where authorities have reported 42 infection hotspots. ■