Mongolia –  Uncontrolled use of antibiotics by animal herders spur diseases to shoot up

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Location: Ulaanbaatar – Mongolia

Language: Mongolian

Voice: Natural

Duration: 00:05:11

Source: A24

Restrictions: A24 Clients

Dateline: 18-02-2022

Storyline:

As of 2021, four types of highly contagious animal diseases have been reported in Mongolia, not the least of which are bovine spongiform encephalopathy, small ruminants, bovine plaque, sheep pox, and moth-and-foot diseases (FDM’S). To date, FDM’s have spread across 16 provinces nationwide and a quarantine regime has been imposed. Several factors are contributing to the spread of the disease, such as herders’ movements and traffic. In addition to these factors, the most prominent factor driving the diseases is the increasing use of antibiotics by herders in an insensible manner. Experts say that the uncontrolled use of antibiotics can lead to the formation of antibiotic residues in the meat and milk of animals, as well as the risk of bacterial resistance.

Shot lists:

 (SOUNDBITE) Ya. Ganbold, academician, director of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine:

“There are several ways in which an FMD can spread in Mongolia. First, the herders’ otor is moving. The first major outbreak was in March 2021, when livestock moved from the Sukhbaatar province to the Uvurkhangai province. This is an example of how diseases can spread through movement. Second, there must be a specialized veterinary class. They must work to gather and quarantine the movement. They must act on the orders of the province and soum governors and enforce the quarantine very well. This work is almost non-existent and very weak. In other words, there is a lot of traffic. The next challenge is to separate sick animals from healthy animals as soon as possible when symptoms appear. This classification is not performed at all. Therefore, very specific organizational measures must be taken.”

 (SOUNDBITE) B. Purevtseren, doctor and director of the “Buyant mal” veterinary pharmacy:

“This year, the use of antibiotics has risen sharply due to an outbreak of a highly contagious disease. For example, one family buys 10-20 units. They are used in large quantities because they have a large number of livestock. In the past, the use of antibiotics was very low, and in certain specific diseases, 1-2 doses were used.”

 (SOUNDBITE) Ya. Ganbold, academician and director of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine:

“Antibiotics do not completely cure FMD’s, so animals that carry the virus are spreading it to other animals. So, healthy and sick animals are kept together without being separated. In addition, the use of arbitrary antibiotics without the advice of a veterinarian can lead to the spread of the disease, which in turn can lead to bacterial resistance in the animal.”

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