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Uvs Province, Mongolia — Two cases of anthrax have been confirmed in Mongolia’s western Uvs Province, prompting partial quarantine measures in the affected area. The country’s National Center for Zoonotic Diseases (NCZD) reported on Wednesday that a 32-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman, both from Zuungovi Soum, had contracted the disease after exposure to contaminated meat.
According to the NCZD, the man became infected after slaughtering a cow suffering from an unknown illness, while the woman was infected after consuming meat from the same animal. Both individuals are in critical condition and receiving treatment at a local hospital. In addition to the two infected patients, nine other individuals who were exposed to the infected animal are currently under isolation and medical observation in the hospital.
Health officials have implemented a partial quarantine across Zuungovi Soum to control the outbreak, which has raised national concerns. Currently, eleven of Mongolia’s 21 provinces are identified as at-risk for anthrax, underscoring the urgency of preventive measures to curb further spread of the disease.
Anthrax is a zoonotic infection that commonly spreads through livestock, with potential risks to humans via contact with infected animals or their products. The NCZD advises people to take caution when handling meat from animals with unexplained illnesses and is closely monitoring the situation.
This outbreak follows global health recommendations for managing anthrax in regions with active livestock farming and underscores the importance of prompt response to prevent larger outbreaks.
