Altogether 36,741 cases of infectious disease were reported
until the end of November, 1880 cases or 5.4% more than in the same period last
year. The Chief of the Information and Training Office of the National Center
for Infectious Disease Research, Ch.Urtnasan, answers questions on the present
situation.

Is the situation so bad that some schools and kindergartens
have had to be closed?

Well, H1N1 cases have increased 10 times, food poisoning 4.5
times, hepatitis A 15.7 times. As 71.8% of the total cases affect children
between 0 and 9, it was decided to close secondary schools and kindergartens.
The worst affected aimags are Khuvsgul, Gobi-Altai, Bayankhongor, Dornogobi,
Dornod, Khentii, Darkhan-Uul, Uvurkhangai and Bayan-Ulgii, where food safety
monitoring measures appear to be lax.

Are there other reasons for the spread?

The level of soil, water and air pollution is high and
hygiene standards are low. Also people, especially children, do not follow
basic health rules.