DUSHANBE, June 13, 2011, Asia-Plus — To prevent spread of acute intestinal infections that frequently occurs in summer period due to high temperatures and wrong use of fruits and vegetables, the Center for Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision within the Ministry of Heath (MoH) has tightened control over sale of fruits and vegetables at local bazaars, Deputy Health Minister Azam Mirzoyev, who is also Tajik chief sanitary inspector, said in an interview with Asia-Plus.
According to him, following fatal cases of E. coli infection in Europe, they have sent a letter to the customs bodies and phytosanitary control services with solicitation to tighten control over the fruit and vegetable imports.
Mirzoyev noted that compared to January-April 2010 the number of cases of acute intestinal infections has decreased in the country over the first four months of this year. Some 6,000 cases of acute intestinal infection have been registered in Tajikistan over the first four months of this year, which is 1,600 cases fewer than in the same period last year.
The number of typhoid cases has also decreased in the country over the same four-month period, Tajik chief sanitary inspector said. “35 typhoid cases have been registered in the country in January-April this year, which is 62 cases fewer than in the same period last year.” The number of cases of bacillary dysentery has reportedly decreased over the report period as well.
According to the statistical data from the Customs Service, US$16,000 worth of fruits and vegetables have been imported into Tajikistan in January-April 2011.
