Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza Infections in Children in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 2015-2021.

Background: Data available for RSV and influenza infections among children < 2 years in Mongolia are limited. We present data from four districts of Ulaanbaatar from April 2015 to June 2021.

Methods: This study was nested in an enhanced surveillance project evaluating pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) impact on the incidence of hospitalized lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs).

Impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13 introduction on severe lower respiratory tract infections associated with respiratory syncytial virus or influenza virus in hospitalized children in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Objectives: Limited data indicate a beneficial effect of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza infections in young children. We evaluated the impact of 13-valent PCV (PCV13) introduction on the incidence of severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) associated with RSV or influenza in hospitalized children.

Methods: Our study was restricted to children aged <2 years with arterial oxygen saturation <93% and children with radiologically confirmed pneumonia nested in a pneumonia surveillance project in four districts of Ulaanbaatar city, Mongolia.

Antibody responses to mRNA versus non-mRNA COVID vaccines among the Mongolian population.

Background: A nationwide vaccination program against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was started in Mongolia 4 months after the first local transmission, which occurred in November 2020. Previous studies have reported that two doses of COVID-19 vaccine result in increased antibody against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A study was conducted in Mongolia 2 weeks after the second vaccine dose.

Results from the second WHO external quality assessment for the molecular detection of respiratory syncytial virus, 2019-2020.

Background: External quality assessments (EQAs) for the molecular detection of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are necessary to ensure the standardisation of reliable results. The Phase II, 2019-2020 World Health Organization (WHO) RSV EQA included 28 laboratories in 26 countries. The EQA panel evaluated performance in the molecular detection and subtyping of RSV-A and RSV-B.

Results from the WHO external quality assessment for the respiratory syncytial virus pilot, 2016-17.

Background: External quality assessments (EQAs) for the molecular detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are necessary to ensure the provision of reliable and accurate results. One of the objectives of the pilot of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global RSV Surveillance, 2016-2017, was to evaluate and standardize RSV molecular tests used by participating countries. This paper describes the first WHO RSV EQA for the molecular detection of RSV.

Early policy actions and emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia: experiences and challenges.

Country-led control measures to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, have been diverse. Originating in Wuhan, China, in December, 2019, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by WHO on March 11, 2020. In recognition of the severity of the outbreak, and having the longest shared border with China, the Government of Mongolia activated the State Emergency Committee in January, 2020, on the basis of the 2017 Disaster Protection Law.

Human respiratory syncytial virus and influenza seasonality patterns-Early findings from the WHO global respiratory syncytial virus surveillance.

Background: Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes illnesses among all age groups and presents a burden to healthcare services. To better understand the epidemiology and seasonality of RSV in different geographical areas, the World Health Organization (WHO) coordinated a pilot initiative to access the feasibility of establishing RSV surveillance using the existing Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) platform.

Objectives: To describe and compare RSV and influenza seasonality in countries in the northern andsouthern temperate, and tropics during the period January 2017 to April 2019.

Comparative global epidemiology of influenza, respiratory syncytial and parainfluenza viruses, 2010-2015.

Objectives: To improve our understanding of the global epidemiology of common respiratory viruses by analysing their contemporaneous incidence at multiple sites.

Methods: 2010-2015 incidence data for influenza A (IAV), influenza B (IBV), respiratory syncytial (RSV) and parainfluenza (PIV) virus infections were collected from 18 sites (14 countries), consisting of local (n = 6), regional (n = 9) and national (n = 3) laboratories using molecular diagnostic methods. Each site submitted monthly virus incidence data, together with details of their patient populations tested and diagnostic assays used.

Increase in Infant Measles Deaths During a Nationwide Measles Outbreak-Mongolia, 2015-2016.

Background: Surveillance data from a large measles outbreak in Mongolia suggested increased case fatality ratio (CFR) in the second of 2 waves. To confirm the increase in CFR and identify risk factors for measles death, we enhanced mortality ascertainment and conducted a case-control study among infants hospitalized for measles.

Methods: We linked national vital records with surveillance data of clinically or laboratory-confirmed infant (aged <12 months) measles cases with rash onset during March-September 2015 (wave 1) and October 2015-June 2016 (wave 2).

Influenza B viruses circulated during last 5 years in Mongolia.

Influenza B virus-caused illness has recently been considered as an urgent public health problem due to substantial morbidity, mortality and life-threatening medical complications. In this study, we have reported the main characteristics of influenza B virus in Mongolia, including prevalence, lineages, suitability with vaccine strains and drug susceptibility against the virus. 15768 specimens were tested by qPCR for detecting influenza viruses.