Mongolia's National Center for Zoonotic Diseases on Friday confirmed a death from bubonic plague in the western province of Govi-Altai.
"A 15-year-old boy died mysteriously in Tseel soum (administrative subdivision) of the province on Tuesday. The result of a polymerase chain reaction test has revealed that bubonic plague caused his death," the agency said, warning citizens not to eat marmot meat.
Although hunting marmots is illegal in Mongolia, many Mongolians regard the rodent as a delicacy and ignore the law. Seventeen out of 21 Mongolian provinces are at the risk of bubonic plague infection, according to the center.
Bubonic plague, a bacterial disease spread mostly by fleas on wild rodents and other animals, can kill an adult in less than 24 hours if not treated in time, according to the World Health Organization.
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