His comments came after reports that a suspected case of plague had been identified in Irkutsk, Russia, raising questions about measures being taken to prevent the disease and other dangerous infections from entering Uzbekistan.
Otabekov said Uzbekistan has a system of measures in place to prevent the importation and spread of plague and other particularly dangerous infectious diseases.
Fifty-three sanitary control points are currently operating at international border crossings, including airports, railway stations and road checkpoints. People entering Uzbekistan from abroad undergo regular medical monitoring at these points, he said.
Laboratories operated by regional sanitary and epidemiological services and specializing in the detection of particularly dangerous infectious diseases are fully supplied with diagnostic equipment, culture media, reagents and other necessary materials, Otabekov added.
Plague is a highly dangerous infectious disease caused by bacteria. Natural plague reservoirs exist in some parts of the world, and the disease mainly affects small mammals. Humans can contract it most commonly through contact with infected animals or bites from infected fleas.
The Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health also issued a statement on October 3, saying preparations by relevant services to prevent particularly dangerous infectious diseases from entering and spreading in Uzbekistan had been strengthened.
The committee urged the public not to rely on unverified reports and to follow information only through official sources.
