05.01.2025, 15:05 90791
Metapneumovirus strains detected in Kazakhstan, Healthcare Ministry
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Mass media reports suggest that human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory illness, is circulating around the world, Kazinform News Agency reports citing the Healthcare Ministry.
Human metapneumovirus is one of the viruses that has been circulating in many countries for tens of years. Its strains were also detected in Kazakhstan along with other viruses spreading during the flu and influenza peak.
According to the sanitary and epidemiological control committee since the start of the epidemic season, 8,360 samples were tested for non-influenza respiratory viruses (NIRV). 22% of 1,866 samples were positive. Of which 680 tests or 36.4% detected rhinovirus, 433 or 23.2% revealed RS virus and 30 or 1.6% were positive for human metapneumovirus.
Human metapneumovirus spreads like other respiratory viruses from those infected through sneezing and coughing. Its many symptoms are coughing, runny nose, fever and headache.
Since the beginning of the epidemic season, October 1, Kazakhstan reported 2,002,335 ARVI and 941 laboratory-confirmed flu cases.
The Healthcare Ministry urges all to avoid crowded places, use sanitizers, avoid close contact with those infected, stay at home when sick and seek medical care.
As written before, 21,089 influenza cases have been reported in West Kazakhstan since October 1, 2024.
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02.04.2025, 14:05 3961
Kazakhstan may vaccinate boys against human papillomavirus
Kazakhstan launched a large-scale vaccination of girls against human papillomavirus (HPV) in 2024 as part of the national program to prevent infectious and cancer diseases, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The vaccine against HPV passed clinical trials and was incorporated into the immunization plans in the US, Canada, Australia, and Canada in 2007-2008. These countries record vaccination positive effect nowadays since the virus spread and circulation have reduced. Today, 76 countries, including the above-mentioned ones, vaccinate boys with the HPV vaccines since they also can spread the virus, deputy chairwoman of the board of the National Public Healthcare Center at the Healthcare Ministry Manar Smagul told the event dedicated to the vaccination against HPV.
She added that the HPV quadruple vaccine is given in Kazakhstan.
As for the vaccination of boys, she stressed that Kazakhstan has such plans since vaccination demonstrates high efficacy in preventing cancer diseases. Though, she is not able yet to say the exact date.
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01.04.2025, 15:57 9706
Gennady Golovkin participates in opening ceremony of World Boxing Cup stage in Brazil
The first stage of the World Boxing Cup, organized by the World Boxing Federation kicked off in the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguaçu, Kazinform News Agency cites Olympic.kz.
The opening ceremony was attended by Gennady Golovkin, President of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Chair of the World Boxing's Olympic Commission.
Speakers at the event included Marcos Cândido de Brito, President of the Brazilian Boxing Federation, Elise Seignolle, President of the Pan American Boxing Confederation, and Acting General Secretary of WB, Mike McAtee.
Gennady Golovkin highlighted the importance of keeping boxing in the Olympic program for the Los Angeles 2028 Games and stressed the need for continued growth of the sport.
He also emphasized the significance of the World Cup in promoting boxing in South America. The Chair of the Olympic Commission expressed confidence that the competition would play a key role in preparing athletes for the upcoming Olympic Games.
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31.03.2025, 15:08 14231
Kazakhstan to launch new routes and flights to Slovenia
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At today’s talks with the President of Slovenia in Astana, the Kazakh President expressed interest in developing bilateral tourism ties between the two nations, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said there are many people in Kazakhstan interested in visiting Slovenia but facing certain issues. The first is visa requirements and the second is air routes and traffic. He revealed the country’s plans to add new routes and flights to the region.
The Head of State thanked Slovenia for supporting the resolution on establishing the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
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31.03.2025, 13:30 15136
How many pink flamingos are there in Kazakhstan
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In response to a request from the Kazinform News Agency, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan announced the number of pink flamingos living in the country.
The pink flamingo is included in the list of rare and endangered species of plants and animals in Kazakhstan. Its population is estimated at 10-50 thousand individuals. The Ministry is working to strengthen the protection of pink flamingo habitats in order to preserve and increase their numbers. In addition, the number of birds and the state of their ecosystems are regularly monitored", - the Ministry said.
According to the Ministry, in the areas where flamingos build their nests, there is a ban on flights of devices.
In order to reduce the factors threatening birds, a ban has been introduced on flights of devices flying low over the areas where flamingos are during the nesting period. Measures are also being taken against the illegal catch of Artemia, which is the main food for flamingos", - the response says.
Earlier, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated at the National Qurultay in Burabay that pink flamingos are in danger.
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31.03.2025, 11:15 14036
Kazakhstan's snow leopards could share same fate as Caspian Tiger
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According to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, the decline in the snow leopard population in Kazakhstan is affected not only by hunters and livestock breeders but also by mineral resource users, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The main obstacles to the growth of the snow leopard population include poaching, conflicts with livestock breeders, habitat disruption, reduction in ungulate populations, infrastructure projects, urbanization, and mineral extraction. Every year, 3-5 snow leopards die in Kazakhstan due to direct human impact," the Ministry's experts reported.
The Ministry believes that without improving conservation measures, the rare animal could face the same fate as the Caspian tiger.
Despite the measures being taken, the risk of the snow leopard's extinction in Kazakhstan due to climate change and the reduction of the global population remains high. If protection efforts are not sufficient, the population may decline even further, putting this species at risk of disappearing. This situation has previously led to the extinction of large predators such as the Caspian tiger," the Ministry stated.
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19.03.2025, 18:11 45401
Almaty’s Medeu Skating Rink to close for two-year-long renovation
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Almaty’s Medeu Skating Rink will close its doors when two-year renovations begin in late March, ending the 2025 season, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
The world’s highest outdoor skating rink has been offering skating in evening hours starting from March 11 in the face of warmer weather, said the local authorities.
According to Almaty’s construction department, plans for the renovation were first announced following the signing of the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) contract in 2025. The total estimated cost is to be revealed after the state expert appraisal is completed. The renovation is expected to take two years from 2025 to 2027.
The renovations include building flights of stairs for hiking routes around the skating rink, improving the southern slope along the Pravyi Yessentay River as well as the adjacent territory. An alley and promenade along the western part of the rink will be added. The two entry and exit elevators on the southeastern and southwestern parts of the rink for low-mobile visitors are set to be installed.
The rink’s refrigeration system, cooling system, technological plate with complete replacement of pipes, engineering system, communications and electrical equipment to improve energy efficiency will be upgraded.
Renovations also eye shift to gas heat, space heating system upgrade and seat heating.
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14.03.2025, 12:28 74856
First microchip ‘designed in Kazakhstan’ paves the way for innovation
A team of researchers from Nazarbayev University have made a significant step in advancing Kazakhstan’s semiconductor industry by developing and testing the country's first microprocessor, Kazinform News Agency reports.
It took the team of scientists three months to design and test the microprocessor. As Assistant Professor of the NU School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, Nursultan Kabylkas, explained, "It took us three months to develop and test the final processor. We had already worked with simpler prototypes, so the adaptation process was quick. The most time-consuming stage was fabrication, but our role in this was minimal-this process was carried out in production, so we were essentially waiting for the finished chip."
The newly developed microprocessor is designed for use in automated devices, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), where reliability and predictability are more important than high performance.
Our team is made up of talented, motivated young professionals. These are mostly NU students and graduates working in our labs," Nursultan said.
According to the developers, the first chip labeled "Designed in Kazakhstan" lays the foundation for building a technological ecosystem, advancing scientific research, and integrating the country into the global semiconductor industry.
Now, the research team plans to focus on creating EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tools for designing and testing microchips.
Earlier, Kazinform reported that Kazakhstan is in the process of obtaining the export license for Nvidia chips.
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13.03.2025, 18:54 77766
Kazakhstan’s SCAT to launch direct flights from Shymkent to Seoul
Kazakhstan’s SCAT airline is boosting its flight network with the launch of flights en route Shymkent-Seoul starting from May, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The Transport Ministry’s press service said in a statement that Kazakhstan’s SCAT plans to open a new route to South Korea starting from May 29. Flights will be operated twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays from Shymkent to Seoul, increasing total flights between Kazakhstan and South Korea from eight to 10 a week.
The expanded services will offer further promotion of trade and economic, business and tourist contacts between the two nations, reads the statement.
As earlier reported, SCAT air carrier of Kazakhstan plans to launch a new route from Shymkent to Munich, Germany, on May 27.
It was also reported that India’s IndiGo would launch direct flights from Astana to New Delhi.
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