Mongolia is intensifying efforts to contain the spread of the SAT-1 strain of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) after new cases were confirmed in several provinces, prompting stricter quarantine measures and an accelerated vaccine procurement campaign.
The SAT-1 strain has already been detected in Khovd, Bayan-Ulgii, and Govi-Altai provinces. Most recently, authorities confirmed an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Khushaat soum of Selenge Province. In response, Governor N.Zakhirakhbaatar issued an order imposing a temporary movement restriction on the soum. Effective from 1:00 p.m. on June 12, all outbound movement from Khushaat has been suspended for 14 days as part of disease-control measures.
Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Ts.Iderbat attended a meeting of the Khovd Provincial Emergency Commission, where he reviewed the current situation surrounding the SAT-1 outbreak and the response efforts being undertaken by local authorities. After receiving updates from the provincial Veterinary Department and listening to recommendations from veterinary officials, the minister approved several urgent measures on-site.
Among the immediate actions, 50 million MNT was allocated from the ministry’s budget to support essential quarantine enforcement and biosecurity operations. The minister also emphasized that compensation for livestock culled as part of disease-control efforts should be processed promptly in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The minister noted that the State Emergency Commission is placing special emphasis on combating the SAT-1 outbreak and expressed appreciation to public servants and veterinary personnel working on the front lines to contain the highly contagious livestock disease.
The SAT-1 strain of the foot-and-mouth disease virus has spread across parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia in recent years, resulting in growing global demand for vaccines specifically designed to combat the strain. This surge in demand has led to vaccine shortages, increased production pressures, and rising prices on international markets.
Despite these challenges, the Mongolian government and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry have moved to secure vaccine supplies. Authorities have reached an agreement with a Russian manufacturer to purchase one million doses of SAT-1 vaccine. A formal contract for the vaccine supply was signed with Russia on June 12. On the same day, ministry officials also held an online meeting with the Lanzhou vaccine manufacturer through the Embassy of China in Mongolia. As a result, the first shipment of vaccines is expected to arrive next week, with the initial one million doses scheduled to enter Mongolia on June 17.
During the meeting, Ts.Iderbat also criticized instances of non-compliance and negligence that have hindered disease-control operations in some areas. He stressed the importance of fully supporting public officials tasked with implementing emergency response measures.
The minister further expressed concern over what he described as misleading public commentary surrounding the outbreak. He noted that, under Mongolian law, official information regarding highly contagious livestock diseases must be provided by the Head of the General Authority for Veterinary Services, who serves as the country’s Chief Veterinary Officer. However, some politicians and individuals presenting themselves as veterinarians or scientific experts have been disseminating information that risks confusing the public and creating misconceptions about the disease and response efforts.
As Mongolia races to secure vaccine supplies and strengthen quarantine measures, authorities continue to urge livestock owners and local communities to cooperate fully with veterinary and emergency officials in order to prevent further spread of the SAT-1 strain and protect the country’s livestock sector.
