Mongolia reports FMD outbreak

According to the Xinhua news agency, at least 7,681 cattle from 85 farms have been infected with FMD in the central Mongolian province of Uvurkhangai.

The department said in a statement that the viral infectious disease has spread to the province through herds returning from pastures from the east of the country. This summer, shepherds moved their animals to the eastern parts of the country due to severe drought, and that is where they became infected. High-risk animals are vaccinated against FMD to prevent its spread.

The disease, which spreads among artiodactyl animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs, has broken out in more than half of Mongolia's 21 provinces this year, according to the country's General Veterinary Administration.

The livestock sector is the main pillar of the Mongolian economy. The country has about 70 million heads of livestock. According to the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Mongolia, meat exports from the country have been suspended since June due to infectious animal diseases.