Residents of Khuroson district in Khatlon province have raised concerns about an anthrax outbreak, claiming that a local man, Qamariddin Rahimov, died from the disease. While officials confirm several cases of anthrax infection in the district, they deny that any fatalities have occurred.
According to residents of the Sarband jamoat, anthrax has spread among livestock, prompting villagers to burn the carcasses of about 10 cows suspected to have died from the disease. “Over the past 20 days, several cows became infected and were burned. Now no one is taking cattle to pasture—everyone is keeping them in barns out of fear,” said a resident who requested anonymity.
Residents also report human infections. At least four people have reportedly been hospitalized with suspected anthrax.
Locals told Asia-Plus that Qamariddin Rahimov, a 39-year-old resident of Chorbogh village and father of four, died from the illness. His brother, Somon Rahimov, said Qamariddin began experiencing symptoms shortly after cutting his finger while handling beef he had purchased. “He called us in severe pain on the morning of June 9 and asked to be taken to the hospital. He died later that day around 1:30 p.m.,” said Somon.
According to another brother, Fazliddin Rahimov, the district prosecutor’s office seized Qamariddin’s medical records and autopsy results, with findings expected on July 12. “Others hospitalized at the same time were confirmed to have anthrax, but since Qamariddin died the same day he was admitted, we couldn’t obtain his medical file,” he said.
Khuroson district head Bahrom Mirov denied the family’s account, stating that Rahimov died of cirrhosis of the liver, a condition he had allegedly suffered from for years. He did not comment on why the prosecutor’s office conducted an autopsy.
“Investigations are ongoing. We don’t have official confirmation that this is anthrax, and no data has been recorded about infections among animals or people,” Mirov told Asia-Plus.
Efforts by Asia-Plus to obtain a response from the Khatlon Regional Health Department were unsuccessful. However, Navrouz Jafarov, deputy head of the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance Department at the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population, confirmed on July 7 that anthrax cases had been registered in Khuroson. “This issue is under investigation by law enforcement. Final information will be shared once the inquiry concludes,” he said.
According to a MoHSPP, Tajikistan recorded 41 anthrax cases nationwide as of July 1, 2025. However, the ministry insists that no anthrax-related deaths have been reported in the country over the past two years.
