ULAN BATOR, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Ulan Bator municipal government has issued a decree suspending the use of all indoor playgrounds in the city until March 1 to prevent influenza and acute respiratory viral infections, the mayor's press office said Monday.
Prevalence of flu and other respiratory diseases are expected to increase, the mayor's office said, calling on parents to avoid going to public places, including cinemas and restaurants, with their children under the age of 10.
Due to several factors, including air pollution and cold and dry climates, cases of influenza, pneumonia and other respiratory diseases have been on rise in the country, especially in its capital Ulan Bator.
Children's wards in hospitals in the world's coldest capital city are already over-crowded and doctors have resorted to floating beds, according the city's health department.
