US: Health officials confirm five cases of coronavirus as of January 26 /update 3

Event

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed a total of five cases of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that originated in Wuhan (Hubei province, China), across the United States as of Sunday, January 26. The cases have been reported in Arizona, California, Illinois, and Washington states. The director of the CDC said that at least 100 other suspected cases are under investigation in the US.

The CDC increased their health alert to Level 3 on Friday, January 24, warning individuals to avoid all nonessential travel to Wuhan. In particular, CDC officials warned that the virus poses an increased threat to older adults with underlying health conditions.

Fever screenings have been implemented at Atlanta's Hartfield-Jackson International (ATL), Chicago's O'Hare International (ORD), San Francisco International airport (SFO), Los Angeles International airport (LAX), and New York's John F. Kennedy airport (JFK). All future flights arriving in the US from Wuhan will be routed through the five aforementioned airports.

Further spread of the illness is possible over the near term, particularly during the Lunar New Year holiday.

Context

The first case of 2019-nCoV was reported on December 31. The source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan. Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) held an emergency panel in Geneva (Switzerland) on January 23 to discuss the virus, ultimately deciding that it was too early to classify the outbreak as a "public health emergency of international concern." As of January 24, cases of the virus have been confirmed in Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, and the US, and suspected cases have been reported in Mexico and Australia. Fever screening measures are being implemented at airports worldwide.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Individuals who plan to travel to or have recently returned from China, particularly Hubei province, are advised to monitor the situation and anticipate additional security checks at the airport. Individuals are advised to take precautionary measures to reduce their risk of contracting the virus:

• Avoid all contact with animals (dead or alive); avoid eating animal products that are undercooked; avoid all markets where animals are sold

• Avoid all close contact with people displaying symptoms of the disease (e.g. difficulties breathing)

• Frequently wash hands, wear a face mask

• Individuals within China developing symptoms of pneumonia are advised to seek medical attention, avoid contact with other people, and wash hands regularly

• Adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments

• Travelers returning from China developing symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to avoid spread of the disease