ULAN BATOR, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- An outbreak of a highly contagious disease affecting sheep and goats has been reported in the western Mongolian province of Khovd, local media reported on Monday.
"Several cases of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), commonly known as sheep and goat plague, have been confirmed in Bulgan soum (an administrative subdivision) of the province," the Bulgan soum governor's office said in a statement.
As a result of the outbreak, the soum has been placed under quarantine for an undetermined period, the statement added.
The livestock sector is a cornerstone of the Mongolian economy, but frequent outbreaks of livestock diseases pose significant challenges to the industry.
According to the National Statistics Office, Mongolia had 64.7 million head of livestock at the end of 2023.
Sheep and goats made up the majority, accounting for 45.5 percent and 38.0 percent of the total, respectively. ■