Mongolia Eyes Horsemeat Amid H1N1
2009-11-6 9:48
Schools and cinemas in Mongolia have been closed and public events cancelled, as the government tries to contain the H1N1 virus, which has been spreading rapidly since mid-October.
A message on one school wall tells students to beware of influenza.
Many in Mongolia are heeding this message, wearing masks in the streets.
[Oyu-Erdene Turkhuu, Concerned about Swine Flu]:
"I'm very scared. I am pregnant now and I heard that pregnant women are vulnerable to this infection. So I do try to limit my time in public places. My route is school to home, that is it."
Six people have already died in Mongolia and there's over 850 confirmed cases. The World Health Organization says the number of pandemic cases is forecast to rise.
[Salik Ram Govind, World Health Organization]:
"So the current situation is that this pandemic is really at the time when seasonal influenza also occurs in the countries with the beginning of the winter. So the WHO's prediction is the H1N1 number of cases will continue to rise."
Mongolia is waiting for further deliveries of Tamiflu, the H1N1 drug, but in the meantime, Mongolians are turning to traditional flu remedies, such as eating horsemeat.
[Arivjikh Dondog, Physical Therapist]:
"Yes, we do recommend horse meat. Mongolians have, from ancient times, consumed horse meat in the cold seasons, but not in the warm seasons. It has qualities that boost the immune system and keep warmth in the body."
Demand for horsemeat has sent prices rocketing in the capital.
With the onset of winter, the government has also set a 9 p.m. curfew on shops, restaurants and bars, while long-distance transport to the provinces will be halted from November 7.
