An Invisible Threat Across Pastures and Farms: Brucellosis Epizootics in Early Soviet Kazakhstan

Abstract: The article focuses on the epizootic of animal brucellosis in Kazakhstan in the 1930s and 1940s. Soviet authorities enforced large-scale modernization which was declared progressive compared to traditional nomadic pastoralism. In their policies towards animals, however, the Soviet authorities failed to consider that they dealt with living beings that were susceptible to infectious disease. This happened because changes were introduced under the conditions of an extreme deficit of resources and veterinary professionals, as well as under the implementation of a production plan that overruled all other considerations. The state organized at least three waves of animal migration to Kazakhstan which all contributed to a spread of infections. Animal health was compromised during transportation and on arrival at state and collective farms. The care provided on the farms was poor: quarantines were violated, sanitary norms including the ones related to burying animal bodies were ignored, and people had to keep young animals in their houses in winter, which ultimately led to epizootic and epidemic episodes. Thus, at the initial stage, modernization in Kazakhstan entailed not only such large-scale tragedies as famine, but also diseases that affected the health of human and non-human animals. In trying to keep up the image of modernization as a progressive endeavour, Soviet authorities blamed the epizootics on enemies and saboteurs. Ultimately, the endemic lack of open communication on controlling epizootic outbreaks reduced opportunities for raising public awareness about the problem and alleviating animal suffering.