Just recently, the World Health Organization declares coronavirus a global emergency as death toll rises. In an article by the United Nations, as of January 30, there are more than 7,800 confirmed cases globally – with 7,736 confirmed in China alone, and with 12,167 suspected cases. The outbreak is believed to have started in Wuhan, a city of around 11 million which remains in lockdown as of date.
“There has been human-to-human transmission in three countries outside China”, in a statement by the World Health Organization’s Emergency Committee.
“The main reason for this declaration is not what is happening in China, but what is happening in other countries”, said the WHO chief, praising the “extraordinary measures” taken there by authorities. “China quickly identified the virus and shared its sequence, so that other countries could diagnose it quickly and protect themselves, which has resulted in rapid diagnostic tools”, said the statement from the Committee,” an excerpt from an article by the United Nations.
Moreover, the World Health Organization also released a statement addressed to all countries and to the global community regarding the newest coronavirus outbreak.
To all countries: “It is expected that further international exportation of cases may appear in any country. Thus, all countries should be prepared for containment, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, contact tracing and prevention of onward spread of 2019-nCoVinfection, and to share full data with WHO,” in a statement by the World Health Organization.
To the global community: “As this is a new coronavirus, and it has been previously shown that similar coronaviruses required substantial efforts to enable regular information sharing and research, the global community should continue to demonstrate solidarity and cooperation, in compliance with Article 44 of the IHR (2005), in supporting each other on the identification of the source of this new virus, its full potential for human-to-human transmission, preparedness for potential importation of cases, and research for developing necessary treatment,” in a statement by the World Health Organization.
More information can be obtained here. Read more: Statement on the second meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
