(DDM) – Local health authorities in Mongolia have confirmed a human case of anthrax in Arkhangai province.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) learned that the infection was detected on Monday in Ikhtamir soum, an administrative subdivision of the province.
Medical officials said the case was confirmed through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, widely regarded as the most accurate method for detecting Bacillus anthracis.
Following the report, authorities immediately placed Ikhtamir soum under indefinite quarantine to prevent further transmission of the disease among humans and animals.
Anthrax is a highly infectious zoonotic disease, caused by Bacillus anthracis, a spore-forming bacterium that occurs naturally in soil.
The disease predominantly affects livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats, but humans can contract it through direct contact with infected animals or handling contaminated animal products, including meat, hides, and wool.
Authorities warned residents to avoid slaughtering or consuming animals showing sudden death, and to report suspected livestock infections immediately.
The Mongolian Ministry of Health and the provincial department for zoonotic diseases have dispatched rapid response teams to conduct mass livestock vaccination campaigns and monitor high-risk areas.
Local hospitals in Arkhangai province have been put on high alert, with isolation protocols and emergency medical teams prepared to treat potential new cases.
Experts stressed that anthrax spores are extremely resilient, able to survive in soil for decades, making surveillance and preventive measures critical to controlling outbreaks.
Residents have also been advised to wear protective clothing, use disinfectants when handling animals, and avoid unregulated trade in animal products.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has previously noted that anthrax outbreaks in rural livestock regions are common in Central Asia, particularly in areas where vaccination coverage is low.
In 2018, a similar outbreak in Mongolia’s Bayan-Ulgii province led to the death of multiple livestock and one human case, highlighting the risks posed by poor livestock management and delayed reporting.
Authorities confirmed that the affected patient is currently receiving medical treatment with antibiotics and is reported to be stable.
The Mongolian government has urged vigilance, stating that quarantine, early detection, and proper veterinary measures remain the most effective tools to prevent a major outbreak.
Experts also emphasized the economic threat posed by anthrax, as livestock deaths can devastate local pastoral communities dependent on animal husbandry.
The public is being reminded that anthrax, though preventable with vaccines and proper hygiene, can become fatal if treatment is delayed, especially in human cases involving inhalation or gastrointestinal infection.
Officials continue to investigate the source of the outbreak, including possible contamination from grazing lands or imported animal feed.