-‘Together we can’ beat H1N1 virus! Swine-flu preparations heightened!

As at November 10, 2009, 934 H1N1 infection cases had been recorded throughout the nation: 723 in Ulaanbaatar and 211 in the country’s 17 aimags, (Arkhangai 9, Bayankhongor 3, Bulgan 7, Gobisumber 16, Darkhan-Uul 23, Dornogobi 26, Dornod 14, Zavkhan 3, Orkhon 15, Ovorkhangai 26, Omnogobi 2, Selenge 20, Tov 10, Uvs 6, Khovd 19, Khovsgol 1 and Khentii 11); with 9 fatalities having been recorded after confirming laboratory tests (Ulaanbaatar 7, Bulgan 1 and Omnogobi 1).

A new patient admitted to UB’s Hospital #1: All Mongolia’s hospitals are hard-pressed

“If vaccine for the H1N1 swineflu pandemic is not purchased immediately, it is likely to be too late and therefore almost useless,” President Ts. Elbegdorj warned during his meeting on November 5, 2009 with the Government and Emergency Commissions’ heads.

The President on the same day also called on the health sector’s scientists, experts, experienced physicians and specialists urgently requesting vaccines. “Mongolia immediately needs to obtain at least 500,000 vaccine doses as, to cover pregnant women alone, a minimum of 50,000 will be needed. Waiting for assistance vaccines, may take too long as these are not likely to arrive until December. By losing another two weeks, we may end up with a situation where we will not need vaccines at all and I am therefore suggesting that specialists should mobilize all possible resources to purchase these vaccines urgently.” said the President.

“Although it was previously decided to obtain vaccines from three manufacturers accredited by WHO, yesterday it was agreed with relevant specialists that 450,000 vaccines would be obtained from other countries and requests have just been submitted to Russia and China, in addition to current investigations to obtain some from Hungary, and talking to relevant officials to get vaccines through UNICEF. The Government has agreed to spend Tgs 6.4 billion in response to the swine-flu pandemic, with Tgs 1.3 million already on hand for vaccine purchases, whilst the Ulaanbaatar City Administration has confirmed its readiness to provide Tgs 2 million. It has also been agreed that Tgs 978 million will be spent to purchase urgently required equipment and techniques. A purchase tender
for 40 respiratory devices has been announced and more than Tgs 870 million is to be spent on medication,”Deputy Prime Minister M. Enkhbold confirmed. He added that since the heightened-alert state had been called on November 4, secondary schools had been closed for 2 weeks with 74-hour distance learning being provided on TV channels. Besides this, it had been decided to distribute additional food to more than 80,000 vulnerable people and such requirements are being procured. Military service recruitment has been postponed and, although universities, institutes and colleges have not been closed, extramural activities have been banned. Furthermore, all long distance transport services’ passengers are being medically checked and travel means are being disinfected.”
Stating that sufficient ‘Tamiflu’ medication must be in stock to treat those infected, the President added that clinics and hospitals have insufficient and/or obsolete respiratory devices and it is necessary to investigate where these can be purchased as at least 100 devices are needed. Focus must be on building local materials’ stocks and on providing more protection as this infection may worsen further. “The present situation is almost a plague and the disease is likely to worsen with future mutation after calming for short while and we must remain alert and prepared. Specialists say it is possible to manufacture the vaccine locally but this will require supporting studies at National Center for Communicable Diseases. People must also be properly informed about what they must do and about the pandemic situation. It is possible to control this disease,” he said.

Children at play during the unexpected time-off from school before starting TV learning

Long-distance transport services have been stopped since November 7. The Government’s working group, set up following the Prime Minister’s Ordinance, took this decision as H1N1-infected people had already carried it to the Uvs and Hovsgol Aimags after arriving from Ulaanbaatar, and the probability of spreading it further is heightened by such travel. There are at present 34 long-distance transport services in operation to 54 destinations with more than 5,000 people using these daily.
As pregnant women suffer more severely from this disease, the Government’s working group has instructed all State and business organizations to allow affected pregnant women 1-month’s paid leave. Due to the complications it presents for pregnant women and their babies, it is believed necessary to allow an additional 30-day’s paid leave over and above their legal 45-day’s leave entitlement prior to delivery. Throughout the nation there are currently more than 36,000 pregnant women and 185 are receiving treatment. Deputy Prime Minister M.Enkhbold advised on November 9 that the health condition of 14 pregnant women has been weakened. The first case of H1N1 infection in Mongolia was registered on October 13. This is now the 5th week since its outbreak and specialists believe that the disease will reach its peak during the 7th and 8th weeks.

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