September 7, 2010

Mongolia quarantines two provinces on FMD outbreak

Sukhbaatar and Dornod authorities have quarantined the transport of cattle and restricted the sale of meat and milk in their territories after an FMD outbreak.

According to the emergency commission, over 968 cattle heads had been infected but death had not been reported yet. The number of infection is likely to grow further.

The problem was detected on August 29 in a farm in Chuluunkhoroot Soum, Dornod Province when a local veterinarian examined three cows showing symptoms of the foot and mouth disease. The central vegetarian laboratory has confirmed that the three cows are infected with the disease.

There are 15,251 heads of cattle from 23 herding families in four epicentres in the two provinces; 968 heads of them are infected so far since the outbreak.

In connection with the high probability of spread, the State Emergency Commission held an emergency meeting and ordered relevant bodies and officials to take prompt actions against the spread. In particular, it is ordered to carry immediate disinfection and liquidations in epicentres and in major autoroad posts, co-work with force agencies to enforce the quarantine regime efficiently, limit some traffic in and out and appoint a field emergency staff in epicentres. Besides, the SEC has decided to immediately conduct preliminary tests and vaccination for all cattle's in Dornogobi, Dundgobi, Umnugobi, Gobisumber and Tuv provinces as well in Ulaanbaatar City.

It is also decided to submit a draft resolution on the allocation of MNT50 million (US$38,022) for fight against the disease in Sukhbaatar and Dornod provinces, respectively and another MNT10 million (US$7,604) for preventive measures, to Cabinet meeting.