Over 1,200 animals culled in western Mongolia due to foot-and-mouth disease

ULAN BATOR, June 10 (Xinhua) -- At least 1,230 livestock animals have been culled in Mongolia's western provinces of Bayan-Ulgii and Khovd following outbreaks of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), local media reported on Tuesday, citing the country's General Authority for Veterinary Services (GAVS).

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.

According to the GAVS, the animals culled in the two provinces were infected with the SAT-1 serotype of the FMD virus.

The outbreaks were first confirmed in late May. Authorities identified the cases as the SAT-1 serotype, marking the first detection of this strain 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, the authority said.

To contain the outbreaks, Bayan-Ulgii and Khovd provinces have imposed a heightened state of preparedness for an indefinite period.

Meanwhile, the O serotype of the FMD virus has also been reported in six of Mongolia's 21 provinces. The O serotype is responsible for the majority of FMD outbreaks worldwide.

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. Enditem