In the beginning of 2022, FMD outbreaks were reported in 98 out of 330 soums in Mongolia. In response, the animal health component of the Livestock Commercialization project (LCP) funded by the World Bank and implemented by FAO supported the control of food-and-mouth disease (FMD) through the adoption of a risk-based ‘cattle-and-yak-only’ vaccination strategy, in cooperation with the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry (MOFALI) and the General Authority for Veterinary Services.

Initial vaccination was carried out in April 2022 and three months after, LCP supported the assessment of immunity through a nationwide serological study. The results indicated that cattle and yaks in more than 96% of all soums were protected against FMD. Unfortunately, FMD vaccines protect for only 6 months. Thus, a second round of vaccination took place in November 2022 and is now due again. Since the start of the vaccination, less than 10 clinical FMD outbreaks were reported.

As continued vaccination is needed, LCP is providing 6.5 million doses of FMD vaccine and it was handed-over to MOFALI today. The FMD vaccination is intended to support the implementation of the national FMD control strategy (2022-2028).