Over 400 people die of pneumonia every year in Mongolia. According to statistics, 78141 people suffered from pneumonia and 431 people died in 2019. In the last 10 years, incidences of respiratory diseases in Ulaanbaatar have alarmingly increased including a 2.7-fold increase in respiratory infections. Pneumonia is now the second leading cause for under-five child mortality in the country.

We interviewed Dr Ts.Tumur-Ochir Ph.D. from the Third State Central Hospital about the coronavirus outbreak that has killed over 170 people and infected 7800 others.

Last year, there was an outbreak of a new form of influenza B in Mongolia. Now, since 1 January 2020, a new form of influenza A has been spreading. Dr Ts.Tumur-Ochir also noted that over the last 10-14 days, the seasonal flu viruses of Н3N2 and Н1N1 are active in Mongolia.

Last week, a 14-year-old girl died of suspected coronavirus symptoms in Khentii Province; this was later revealed to be a Н3N2 viral infection. Naturally, she was suspected of having coronavirus, having recently returned from the Chinese city of Hohhot in Inner Mongolia.

According to the Health Ministry and the delegation of the World Health Organisation in Ulaanbaatar, as of 28 January, Mongolia has no confirmed cases of coronavirus.