Bubonic plague case reported in Mongolian capital

STORY: Bubonic plague case reported in Mongolian capital DATELINE: Aug. 9, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:35 LOCATION: Ulan Bator CATEGORY: HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. various of marmots on grasslands in Mongolia STORYLINE: One case of bubonic plague was confirmed in Mongolia's capital on Tuesday, according to the country's National Center for Zoonotic Diseases (NCZD). The infected man ate marmot meat last week, the NCZD said, adding that he and five others in close contact with him are now being isolated and treated. While 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 still at risk of the bubonic plague, the center said, urging the public not to hunt marmots or eat marmot meat. The bubonic plague is a bacterial disease that is spread 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. Xinhua News Age

Mongolian environmental inspectors seize 827 dead marmots this year

STORY: Mongolian environmental inspectors seize 827 dead marmots this year DATELINE: Sept. 20, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:46 LOCATION: Ulan Bator CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of marmots in Mongolia STORYLINE: Mongolian environmental inspectors have seized a total of 827 dead marmots so far this year, which could have spread the bubonic plague, the country's National Center for Zoonotic Diseases (NCZD) said Tuesday. The marmots have been found in vehicles heading to the capital city of Ulan Bator, according to the NCZD. Hunting marmots is illegal in Mongolia. But many regard the rodent as a delicacy and ignore the law. Since the beginning of this year, six suspected cases of bubonic plague have been reported across Mongolia. One infected people has recently died, and more than 40 people in close contact with the deceased person are under quarantine. The bubonic plague is a bacterial disease spread by fleas living on wild rodents such as marmots and can kill an adult within 24 hours if the diseas