Translated with AI
On November 19, 2025, Astana's Chief Sanitary Doctor Aigul Shagaltayeva signed a decree introducing enhanced sanitary and anti-epidemic measures in the capital due to the rising incidence of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza. The document was published on the official website of the Astana Akimat, Tengrinews.kz reports.
According to the decree, measures include strengthening the work of outpatient clinics and hospitals, isolating patients, expanding patient consultation rooms, enforcing mask wearing, temperature monitoring, and stocking up on antiviral medications.
Schools will switch to distance learning if more than 30 percent of a class's students are infected from November 20 to December 5. A daily "morning screening" will be introduced for children and staff. Furthermore, restrictions on large gatherings will be imposed.
"Anti-epidemic measures will be carried out until the epidemiological situation regarding acute respiratory viral infections and influenza in Astana improves," the document states.
Over the past week, 23,002 cases of acute respiratory viral infections were registered in the capital, which is 1.5 times higher than the figure for the previous week, from October 30 to November 5, 2025. Among children under 14, the incidence rate was 60 percent.
Several flu strains are currently circulating in Kazakhstan, including the H3N2 strain (Hong Kong flu), which is characterized by a more severe course of the disease. The rising number of cases has raised public concern, prompting people to stock up on antiviral medications from pharmacies.
