Mongolia has quarantined all schools, universities and kindergartens until 2 March in order to prevent the spread of the highly infectious coronavirus. The move has had positive effect in reducing the seasonal flu outbreaks which has decreased across the country.

An outbreak of seasonal influenza, caused by A and B viruses, in Mongolia has been called a “kids’ crisis” by health officials with children under five accounting for 60 percent of cases reported up to 3 February. It can be noted that, 80 percent of children admitted in hospitals are aged nine and under.

Over 11000 children were diagnosed with seasonal flu in Ulaanbaatar as of 3 February; this represents a decrease of 2.9 percent compared to the previous week. The seasonal flu accounts for 11.3 percent of the annual 97000 plus patients in Ulaanbaatar.