The outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease, classified as a list A disease, has now spread to eight sums in Sukhbaatar, Khentii and Dornogovi provinces.
Since the first case was discovered in Ongon sum in Sukhbaatar province, 512 livestock out of 517 affected animals have been destroyed at separately built sites.
Only after samples were taken from sick livestock belonging to a herder in Ongon sum, Sukhbaatar province, and sent to the State Central Veterinary Laboratory on February 30th, was it revealed to be the extremely contagious and serious cloven hoofed disease, Foot and Mouth.
The outbreak spread to neighboring Dariganga, Naran, Bayandelger and Tuvshinshiree sums of Ongon sum in Sukhbaatar. Quarantines were set by officials according to procedures for contagious livestock disease and the specialized agencies worked there under high alert.
The latest case of Foot and Mouth was reported in Altanshiree and Delgerekh sums in Dornogovi province. Quarantines have been set and the community went under the high alert from February 10th.
The epidemic has spread rapidly since the first 86 livestock were affected on January 27th. The number of affected livestock has increased to 587 in only 20 days.
From the first signs of Foot and Mouth the State Emergency Commission held an emergency meeting and took urgent action to limit the spread of the outbreak. Currently quarantines have been set in the contagion zones in the sums and surveys of the affected have been conducted. Over 309,000 livestock have been vaccinated. Now over 300 specialists are working on site with the access of 100 vehicles and facilities.
This outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease has severely damaged the livestock industry resulting in economic losses of 587 million MNT.
Now there is also high risk that the outbreak will spread to Govisumber province and Baganuur and Nalaikh districts.
It is possible that Foot and Mouth can be spread in an airborne manner where there are large numbers of animals.
The virus spread is usually within 10 km of its source. However with particular wind conditions the virus could spread as far as 250 km.
Up to 50 per cent of cattle, sheep and goats can become carriers for up to two years in cattle, and one year in sheep and goats. Carriers may present a potential for virus maintenance. Wild fauna may serve as a reservoir for this disease.