ULAN BATOR, June 8 (Xinhua) -- A heightened state of preparedness has been imposed in Mongolia's western province of Khovd for an indefinite period to contain an outbreak of the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), according to the provincial governor's office on Monday.
FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.
In connection with the heightened preparedness measures, authorities have prohibited the organization of any large-scale public events and gatherings across the province.
The outbreak was first confirmed in the province in late May.
Separate FMD outbreaks have also been reported recently in the western province of Bayan-Ulgii and the southern province of Dundgovi, where quarantine measures have been imposed to prevent further spread of the disease.
According to Mongolia's Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, the cases confirmed in Khovd and Bayan-Ulgii provinces have been identified as the SAT-1 serotype strain of the FMD, marking the first time this strain has been detected in Mongolia. The SAT-1 strain is considered highly virulent and can spread rapidly through airborne transmission, contaminated vehicles and equipment, humans and wild animals, said the ministry.
Livestock herding remains a cornerstone of the Asian country's economy, and the country is widely recognized for its centuries-old nomadic heritage.
According to the National Statistics Office, the country had 58.1 million head of livestock at the end of 2025, representing a 0.8 percent increase compared with the previous year. ■
