On the president ’ s ‘ personal radar ’
“ After this slumber , my blood pressure started going up for no reason ,” Kazachenko explained . “ Headaches – that ’ s not the word . For six weeks , I didn ’ t know where to put myself . It strongly affects your mentality . I ’ m very on edge .”
For two years , residents have been falling into comas and suffering debilitating symptoms – dizziness , nausea , blinding headaches and memory loss – as a result .
The ailment first struck in the village in the spring of 2013 and has affected over 120 residents – around a quarter of Kalachi ’ s population . The latest two incidents – which hit on 1 March – have increased the total number of cases to 152 . Some , like Kazachenko , have been struck more than once .
On the president ’ s ‘ personal radar ’
The ‘ sleeping sickness ’ is baffling doctors and scientists alike who have tested increased levels of radiation ; carbon monoxide ; radon and a build up of heavy metal salts which can be toxic .
Scientists say radiation is within permissible levels , as is the concentration of heavy metal salts . Elevated levels of radon and carbon monoxide were detected but later ruled out as a cause .
In January Sergey Lukashenko , the director of the National Nuclear Centre ’ s institute for radiation security , acknowledged that some of houses of the affected residents had carbon monoxide levels that were ten times higher than recommended . This he said , could have caused similar symptoms to the “ sleeping sickness ”.
Kazakhstan ’ s government has said the village is on the “ personal radar ” of president Nursultan Nazarbayev , and prime minister Karim Masimov has set up a commission to coordinate the research : by the end of last year over 20,000 laboratory and clinical test had been conducted – on the air , soil , water , food , animals , building materials , and on the residents themselves . The tests are ongoing .
AUTHOR : Joanna Lillis is a Kazakhstan‐based journalist and author . She has written extensively on Central Asia , and her work has been featured in reputable outlets such as The Economist , The Guardian , The Independent , and the Eurasianet website . One of her notable works is the book titled " Dark Shadows : Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan " 12 . In this book , she delves into the complexities and hidden aspects of Kazakhstan , shedding light on its multicultural dynamics and challenges .
You can also find her on Twitter as @ joannalillis3 . Her insightful reporting provides valuable perspectives on the region and its evolving socio‐political landscape .