Mongolia culls over 1,200 livestock as highly virulent foot-and-mouth strain spreads

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 recently, 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, Xinhua news agency reported.

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.

FMD is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact. The disease affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. It is a transboundary animal disease (TAD) that deeply affects the production of livestock and disrupts regional and international trade in animals and animal products. Members that are currently free of FMD without vaccination remain under constant threat of an incursion. FMD is caused by an Aphthovirus of the family Picornaviridae.