Yangon, Myanmar, May 6, 2026 — Myanmar’s University of Veterinary Sciences, Yezin (UVS) is getting a shot in the arm for advancing livestock development and animal and public health as lead implementor of a new Mekong–Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF) project tackling food safety risks and animal-to-human diseases linked to raw milk.

The project, “Advancing Myanmar’s Livestock Sector: Integrated Zoonotic Management and Improving Food Safety through Digital Tools and Stronger Networks for Rural Prosperity,” is a 36-month initiative aimed at improving zoonotic disease management, food safety, and rural livelihoods through digital surveillance tools, laboratory capacity building, and farmer-led community-based interventions across Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam.

At the project’s launch program, Dr. Thant Nyi Lin, Project Manager and Head of the Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology at UVS, explained that the project will undertake surveillance and research activities related to brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis (bTB), two major zoonotic diseases that can spread to humans through the consumption of unpasteurized milk and dairy products derived from infected animals.

Brucellosis can cause fever, fatigue, and joint pain, while bTB may lead to lung disease as well as infections affecting the neck bones and kidneys. While the consumption of raw milk is a major source of infection, both diseases may also spread through close contact with infected animals, including exposure to bodily fluids and respiratory droplets. bTB infection among livestock herds also results in major economic losses due to lower milk production, reduced animal fertility, discarded meat, and trade restrictions, putting both farmers’ health and livelihoods at risk.

As such, beyond disease surveillance and laboratory capacity building, the project seeks to improve awareness and promote safer farming and milk-handling practices among livestock farmers and local communities. Vocational and technical trainings will be provided to farmers, veterinary professionals, and laboratory personnel to improve regional preparedness and cross-border collaboration. It is also expected to contribute to knowledge-sharing among veterinary and public health institutions across participating countries.

In his congratulatory remarks, MKCF Director Mr. Madhurjya K. Dutta emphasized the importance of ensuring that the project’s impact extends beyond academic outcomes by deepening engagement with markets, businesses, and related development project. He added that ensuring the practical application of the project results would be important to improve their long-term sustainability and scalability.

For more information, please contact: Mekong Institute

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