“Mini-COVID” is spreading across the country - what Kazakhstanis are currently suffering from

Tengrinews.kz — In recent days, Kazakhstanis have been discussing an illness on social media that many believe resembles COVID-19. People are complaining of severe fatigue, body aches, runny noses, sore throats, and coughing, as well as a loss of smell and taste. Some report being ill for several weeks with no relief from antibiotics. On social media, the illness has already been dubbed "mini-COVID".
A Tengri Health correspondent looked into whether a new virus has truly emerged in Kazakhstan, if COVID-19 is making a comeback, or if these are simply seasonal respiratory infections.
"Just like COVID": Kazakhstanis describe symptoms
The discussions began with stories from people who had encountered a prolonged illness.

"Who else has had this terrible virus? I was stuck at home for about 15 days and even had to take antibiotic injections. It feels just like COVID: no appetite, you can't taste anything, severe weakness, your whole body aches, and your bones hurt. To anyone else who was recently sick—how did it go for you? They say a 'mini-COVID' is going around the country," one user wrote.

Another Kazakhstani woman described a similar condition: it started with heavy sneezing and a runny nose, followed by nasal congestion, muscle aches, and headaches. According to her, while her condition gradually improved, the runny nose persisted for a long time.
Another user reported being sick for 20 days.

"The symptoms are just like COVID: dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, and no sense of smell. I took antibiotic shots, but they didn't help; the cough still hasn't gone away," he wrote.

Another post listed seven days of sore throat, coughing, and chills, along with a loss of taste and smell.

"It definitely feels like COVID," the author of the post concluded.

Which viruses are currently dominant
Ainagul Kuatbaeva, a high-ranking epidemiologist we contacted for comment, explained that Acute Respiratory Viral Infections (ARVI) are monitored year-round in Kazakhstan.
Population morbidity data is cross-referenced weekly with laboratory results to detect any unusual spikes in cases or hospitalizations in a timely manner, she explained.

"This helps us take timely measures to minimize negative consequences, prevent the spread of infection, and protect public health."

And so far, according to the epidemiologist, laboratory data does not confirm the emergence of any unusual new respiratory virus in the country..

"The current situation is more consistent with the normal seasonal and joint circulation of known respiratory viruses, rather than the emergence of a new infection," the expert says.

Ainagul Kuatbaeva notes that respiratory viruses circulate constantly and can spread simultaneously. Even in the summer and during the off-season, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, parainfluenza viruses, RSV, seasonal coronaviruses, and other pathogens are present.

"It is important not to draw conclusions about an increase or change in the activity of any virus based solely on a small number of laboratory tests. To assess the situation, we simultaneously take into account morbidity rates, medical consultations, hospitalizations, cluster cases, and laboratory monitoring results," she commented.

About the speaker: Ainagul Kuatbayeva is an epidemiologist, senior physician, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor, and Director of the branch of the "Scientific and Practical Center for Sanitary and Epidemiological Expertise and Monitoring" at the National Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health.
According to the National Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health, between August 1 and August 28, 2024, specialists examined 164 samples from patients with symptoms of respiratory infection. Respiratory viruses were detected in 41 samples (25 percent of cases).
Among the positive samples, the following were identified:

rhinovirus — 41.5 percent;
adenovirus — 24.4 percent;
parainfluenza viruses — 14.6 percent;
RSV — 7.3 percent;
seasonal coronaviruses — 7.3 percent;
bocavirus — 4.9 percent.

Influenza viruses were not detected in the samples studied during this period.
COVID-19 hasn't gone anywhere
At the same time, individual cases of COVID-19 have been laboratory-confirmed in various regions of Kazakhstan.
The doctor notes that SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) continues to circulate alongside other respiratory viruses. Its activity, like that of other ARVI pathogens, fluctuates depending on the season.

"Like any virus, SARS-CoV-2 adapts to environmental conditions over time, and its activity can also depend on collective immunity gained from previous infections and vaccination. During this environmental adaptation, new variants can emerge. This is a natural process and does not in itself signify the arrival of a 'new COVID' or a more dangerous infection," the epidemiologist reassured.

She notes that according to available international data, there is currently no evidence that circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 cause more severe disease or pose a greater risk to the public compared to previous strains.
Nevertheless, the WHO continues to monitor several of them, as they may spread faster or slightly better evade previously acquired immunity.

"But this does not mean they have become more dangerous, so there is currently no basis to speak of the emergence of a new or 'highly mutated' coronavirus," the expert emphasizes.

Why people can get sick several times in a row and who is at risk
As Ainagul Kuatbayeva explains, another reason the current situation seems unusual is that a person can suffer from several respiratory infections within a short period.

"ARVI is caused by many different viruses. Recovering from a rhinovirus does not protect a person from adenovirus, RSV, influenza, or SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, after recovering from one infection, it is possible to become infected with another after some time."

Re-infections with coronavirus are also possible. According to the specialist, immune protection changes over time, while the virus itself continues to evolve.
Infections are particularly common when there is a high volume of contact—for example, in families, schools, public transport, during travel, and at mass events.
The specialist also added that a runny nose, nasal congestion, sore or scratchy throat, cough, fatigue, and headache are characteristic of many respiratory viral infections. Therefore, it is virtually impossible to identify a specific pathogen based on symptoms alone.
These infections can be most severe in young children, especially infants, pregnant women, the elderly, and patients with chronic diseases or weakened immune systems.
In conclusion, Ainagul Kuatbayeva says that, in theory, the emergence of a new pathogen cannot be completely ruled out. If specialists notice an unusual spike in incidence, an increase in cluster cases, more severe disease progression, or changes in the structure of hospitalizations that cannot be explained by known infections, the situation will be studied in more detail. In such cases, additional epidemiological and laboratory studies will be conducted.
As a reminder, flu vaccinations will begin in Kazakhstan on September 15 for citizens recommended for preventive immunization. For more details on who is eligible for a free vaccine, read here.