AKIPRESS.COM - A vaccination campaign against the deadly foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is underway across Mongolia, according to the General Authority for Veterinary Services (GAVS), Xinhua said.

FMD is a viral infectious disease that spreads among cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, and pigs.

"In order to prepare for the winter of 2023-2024 without foot-and-mouth disease, the Fall 2023 immunization campaign for the prevention of the FMD is being held throughout the country starting from mid-October," the GAVS said in a statement.

During the campaign, a total of 6.6 million cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, and reindeer are expected to be vaccinated against the FMD.

The Asian nomadic country has developed a 2022-2028 strategy to fight FMD and keep livestock healthy. Under the strategy, high-risk animals will be vaccinated against the disease every six months to curb and prevent its spread, according to the GAVS.

With over 71 million head of livestock, the livestock sector is a main pillar of the Mongolian economy.

The landlocked country with a population of 3.4 million is striving to develop its livestock sector by raising meat exports in a bid to diversify its mining-dependent economy.

However, frequent outbreaks of livestock animal diseases, such as FMD and mad cow disease, are impeding the process.