Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is highly prevalent in Mongolia and its sequelae including liver cirrhosis and liver cancer are crucial public health problems in Mongolia. HBV infection is preventable through the vaccination. Universal hepatitis B vaccination has been introduced in 1991 after the 3 years field trial, making our country the 20th country with obligatory immunization against hepaitis B of all eligible population. In addition a penta vaccine (DTP+HipB+HBV) was introduced since 2005 in urban and rural areas. Although statistical information is available regarding the coverage of these hepatitis B vaccines, no study has been conducted on the coverage of hepatitis B vaccination based on the immunization cards of children that is important to reveal the current situation in the country. Objective: To study the coverage of Hepatitis B vaccination among children born after more than 10 years since its implementation in Mongolia. Materials and Methods: Nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted during 2009-2010. A total of 5894 children was enrolled in this survey selected from Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, Erdenet as well as 11 provinces and 50 soums. Iimmunization data of each child was abstracted from the health records or immunization cards at the actual Health Center, Local or Family hospital. The hepatitis B vaccination coverage was assessed by measuring HepB-birth dose, second and third dose. The vaccination status of the child was determined by counting the immunizations that were recorded by health/immunization registry or card. Data analyses was performed using SPSS 17.0 software. Results: A total of 5894 children were participated in the survey out of 6380 selected children (response rate 92.38%). Vaccination cards or registrations were available for 4944 (83.9%) children that was higher in rural areas compared to cities (Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, Erdenet 75.5%, province centers 87.3%, soums 90.5%, p<0.001). In addition, the proportion of children with vaccination card was significantly decreased by age from age of 4 years to 6 years (p<0.0001). Vaccination coverage rate of those who received at least one dose of hepatitis B or penta vaccine was 98.6% [(95% confidence interval: 98.36-98.98) and 81.9% of them were fully vaccinated whereas 16.7% were partially vaccinated. Vaccination rate was 97.8% in Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan and Erdenet cities, 99.2% in province centers and 99.1% in rural soums. According to the results of 11 provinces and, coverage rate in provinces was 98.3%-100% where Umnugovi and Khentii provinces had highest rate (100%) and Selenge and Zavkhan provinces had lower rates (98.7%). Around 95% of the children were received the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine, of whom 3413 (76.5%) received within 24 hours while 1274 (27.8%) had received later than the schedule. Among study population 13.1% were vaccinated with penta vaccine that was introduced in 1995 in Mongolia. Conclusion: 1. Vaccination cards were available for 4944 (83.9%) children that was significantly higher in rural areas compared to cities. 2. Vaccination coverage rate of those who received at least one dose of hepatitis B or penta vaccine was 98.6% [(95% confidence interval: 98.36-98.98) and 81.9% of them were fully vaccinated whereas 16.7% were partially vaccinated. 3. Around 95% of the children were received the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine, of whom 3413 (72.8%) received within 24 hours while 1274 (27.8%) had received later than the schedule.

Background. Bacterial meningitis is a severe, potentially life-threatening infection that is associated with high rates of morbidity and significant disability in survivors. Overall mortality rates related to bacterial meningitis of around 20% to 25% have been reported by major centers. Our study is to determine the incidence rate and etiology of childhood bacterial meningitis in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.Methods. From 2002-2010, a total of CSF 433 and blood 544 samples were obtained from children age 0-5 years old. The following diagnostic criteria for bacterial meningitis in children aged 0-5 years were used: questionnaires, clinical signs and positive CSF culture and/or CSF antigen test results positive N. meningitis serogroups B, A, C, Y, and W-135, Hib or S.pneumonia; and/or positive CSF PCR results; and/or positive blood culture results with CSF pleocytosis (WBC count, >10 cells/uL). Pathogens were identified and serotype or serogroup with standard methods in the reference microbiology laboratory. Detection of bacterial pathogens with a multiplex and real-time PCR assay.Results. From totally 544 suspected cases had been detected bacterial meningitis in 260 (47, 8%) cases and sepsis in 111 [20,4%] cases respectively. The disease in the 83 [27.1 %] etiologically diagnosed patients was due to H.influenza, S. pneumonia was in 71 [36, 4%] cases and N.meningitis in 111 [24, 7%] respectively. Among the positive samples 80.6% (129/160) the specific serogroup and/or serotypes for N.meningitis serogroups A was available in 22(35, 4%) cases, for the Hib 52(96, 3%) and 6(40%) for the S.pneumoniae 7 serotype. The real time PCR assay was more sensitive for detection of meningitis pathogens than conventional methods (culture and latex agglutination), 19% in comparison with latex agglutination (p<0.0026) and by 39% in comparison with culture (p<0.001). Bacterial meningitis was identified 70.0 in 2004 among population, but it reduced until 5.0 in 2009. The incidence of Hib meningitis was 2002-2005y, N.meningitis and S.pneumoniae meningitis were 2006-2008y, S.pneumonia meningitis was more higher 2009-201 Oy comparing with other pathogens.Conclusion. N.meningitidls, S.pneumoniae H.influenzae type b are the leading causative agents of childhood bacterial meningitis in Ulaanbaatar, and the incidence rate is higher than what were reported in other Asian countries.

BackgroundIn 1988, the Forty-first World Health Assembly adopted a resolution for the Global Polio Eradication.Since the initiative was launched, number of polio cases has fallen by over 99%. Today, only threecountries in the world, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria - remain polio-endemic. The Polio Eradicationand Endgame Strategic Plan of 2013-2018 calls for the gradual eradication of wild virus strain and thevaccine virus strain at the same time. In order to prevent the border transmission of wild type poliovirus,virus leakage from laboratories, it is required to conduct inventory of laboratories handling poliovirus andpotential infectious materials every 2 year.GoalTo identify laboratories handling poliovirus and potential infectious materialsMethodsSurvey of laboratories handling poliovirus and potential infectious materials was conducted amongstate, private, clinical, biomedical and environmental testing in total of 127 laboratories operating in21 provinces and 9 districts of Ulaanbaatar city by questionnaire. Survey questionnaire consists of 6sections (general, sample storage, laboratory biosafety, staff knowledge, information source, trainingand etc.). Study results were processed using SPSS-19 statistical programme.Results34.7% of 96 biomedical laboratories were analyzed stool samples. These laboratories were analyzedrotavirus (17.0%), intestinal bacteria (67.0%), Helicobacter (14.3%), parasite and other indicators (1.7%)in stool samples. 43.8% of laboratories were stored stool samples for one day and 3.1% up to oneyear. From 31 environmental testing laboratories 73.3% were bacterialdetection test on environmentalsamples. 60% of wastewater samples were collected from rivers, 16% on entrance to wastewatertreatment plant and after biological treatment combined, and 24% from other sources. Soil sampleswere collected near waste disposal and other sources (46.4%), and from unknown sources (53.6%).24.1% of all laboratories were stored environmental samples for 3 days, 3.4% for 45 days. Accordingto results, surveyed laboratories did not store samples for more than 1 year. Also, none of surveyedlaboratories (100%) were not stored poliovirus and potential infectious materials.Conclusion· The investigated laboratories were not stored poliovirus and potential infectious materials.· The biosafety and biosecurity status of laboratories should be improved in near future throughenhancing knowledge of laboratory workers and organizing training related to biosafetyandbiosecurity.