The current outbreak has caused the death of 132 people in China. In addition there are 5,974 infected people in several countries. Keep reading and discover what we know About The Wuhan Coronavirus.
World Health Organization
WHO has determined not to treat pneumonia as an international emergency at this time
China confirmed on Wednesday 132 deaths from the new coronavirus, already known as “Wuhan pneumonia” or 2019-nCoV. The origin of the outbreak, whose first cases were detected in December, is a seafood market in the city of Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province.
To prevent its spread, the Chinese authorities have quarantined more than 40 million people in 13 cities across the country. Transport has been suspended and citizens have been asked not to leave without “special reasons”.
About The Wuhan Coronavirus
What is the mortality rate?
According to initial data, the mortality rate of the new coronavirus is 1.5%, but it will be necessary to follow up daily to see how the cases evolve. For now, 2019-nCoV can be considered less aggressive in its consequences, compared to SARS and MERS.
The SARS epidemic, with the last case reported more than 15 years ago, caused the death of 800 people and infected about 8,000 with a mortality rate of about 10%. MERS, still active but geographically contained in the Arabian Peninsula, has infected about 2,500 people with over 850 fatal cases and a mortality of 35%.
How does it spread?
Coronaviruses are airborne viruses but they can also be transmitted by recently contaminated objects or substances, as is the case with the influenza virus, and by human contact.
Although many details of the new coronarivus 2019-nCoV are still unknown, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that “an animal source is most likely the primary source of this new coronavirus outbreak”.
Chinese Health Minister Ma Xiaowei has also confirmed that this coronavirus is contagious even before showing symptoms, which could make control efforts extremely difficult.
How can it be prevented?
First, advice from health authorities includes wearing masks, using handkerchiefs to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, avoiding contact with animals or using protection, washing your hands frequently, avoiding markets and crowds, and seeing a doctor as soon as symptoms are identified.
As a result, the Chinese authorities have also asked the public to take protective measures. Including contact with animals and to cook all food of animal origin properly.
About The Wuhan Coronavirus
What are your symptoms?
The symptoms described for Wuhan pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus are fever and fatigue, accompanied by a dry cough and, in many cases, shortness of breath.
What steps are being taken?
In Wuhan, the starting point of the outbreak:
- A number of hospitals and clinics have been designated to specifically treat patients with the described symptoms.
In addition, the city has closed markets suspected to be related to the outbreak. Increased animal control and all transport has been closed to prevent the spread of the virus.
Similarly, the Chinese authorities have decided to suspend all transport and have asked citizens not to leave without “special reasons”.
Several airports in Australia, the United States and several Asian countries such as Thailand have begun to carry out medical checks (usually a rapid measurement of body temperature in search of possible fever) on passengers arriving from China.
Other major international airports, such as Hong Kong, Doha (Qatar) or Heathrow (United Kingdom) have confirmed that they will strengthen medical checks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Similarly, for the Chief Epidemiologist of the Chinese Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Zeng Guang, the continuing emergence of new cases indicates that the situation is at an early stage. And, he believes that “the outbreak of the new coronavirus can be reversed if action is taken now.
Has it spread abroad?
Outside mainland China (where there are 5,974 cases), we have 65 cases so far, mostly in Asia. The number of cases by country is as follows:
Asia:
- Thailand (8), Hong Kong (8), Macao (7), Taiwan (5), Singapore (5). Japan (4), South Korea (4), Malaysia (4), Vietnam (2), Nepal (1), Sri Lanka (1) and Pakistan (4).
Europe
- France (3) and Germany (4).
America:
- United States (5) and Canada (2).
Oceania:
- Australia (5).
What is the position of the international health authorities?
The WHO
To clarify, the WHO has corrected its initial threat assessment. Calling it “high” internationally and no longer “moderate”, as it had stated due to a “formulation error”.
However, this correction does not change the fact that WHO does not consider the epidemic to be a: “Public health emergency of international concern”.
The EU
The European Union also continues to monitor developments. So far, three cases have been reported in France and one in Germany.
Meanwhile , the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends traveling cautiously in China . Also refraining from doing so in areas affected by the new coronavirus.
