Mongolia has extended the winter vacation period at general educational schools in most provinces of the country by a week amid an outbreak of flu, local media reported Tuesday, citing the country's Health Ministry.
On Jan. 6, the Mongolian government extended the winter vacation period of all general educational schools in the country's capital Ulan Bator by a week due to the prevalence of flu and other respiratory diseases.
Governors of 17 provinces in the country also decided to extend the vacation window at all schools by a week for the same reason, said the ministry, adding that schools in Ulan Bator and effected provinces would now reopen on Jan. 20.
Winter vacation for schools across Mongolia began on Dec. 23.
The incidence rate of flu and flu-like illnesses is now up 6 percent in the country compared to the same period last year, according to the ministry.