Ulan Bator [Mongolia], July 22: Highly toxic pathogenesis of the bubonic plague has been found in the western Mongolian province of Zavkhan, local media reported on Saturday, citing the country's National Center for Zoonotic Diseases (NCZD).
"The NCZD received a report early this month that a large number of marmots have been dying mysteriously in Erdenekhairkhansoum (administrative subdivision) of the province. Experts of the center collected samples from the dead marmots and found highly toxic pathogenesis of the bubonic plague in the samples," the NCZD said, urging the public not to hunt marmots or eat marmot meat.
Though hunting marmots is illegal in Mongolia, many Mongolians regard the rodent as a delicacy and ignore the law.
Of all the 21 Mongolian provinces, 17 are at risk of the bubonic plague, said the NCZD.
The bubonic plague is a bacterial disease that spreads by fleas living on wild rodents such as marmots and can kill an adult in less than 24 hours if not treated in time, according to the World Health Organization.
Source: Xinhua