Coronavirus – Credit CDC PHIL
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As one might expect, now that doctors are being urged to look for potential coronavirus cases (see WHO Publishes Case Definition For Identifying Possible Coronavirus Cases), we are beginning to hear of some suspected cases being isolated and tested.
This is an inevitable, albeit sometimes disconcerting, part of the investigative process.
It is likely that most (perhaps all) of the suspect cases identified over the coming days will turn out to have something other than this novel coronavirus - but until we know more about this emerging pathogen - an abundance of caution is indicated.
Case in point, last night a hospital in Denmark announced that they were isolating, and testing, five people with respiratory symptoms and recent contact with a traveler returning from the Mid-East (see AFP story Five isolated in Danish hospital for SARS-like symptoms.)
We will hopefully get some test results later today.
Overnight the World Health Organization released a new update on the coronavirus, indicating that no new cases have been confirmed, and outlining the steps they are taking to assess the situation.
Novel coronavirus infection - update
25 September 2012 - As of 25 September 2012, no additional cases of acute respiratory syndrome with renal failure due to infection with a novel coronavirus have been reported to WHO. WHO is continuing investigations into two recently confirmed infections identified as a novel coronavirus. Today WHO issued an interim case definition to help countries strengthen health protection measures against the new virus.
The case definition, based on the cases so far, includes criteria for identifying a ‘patient under investigation’, a ‘probable case’ and a ‘confirmed case’. These criteria are based on clinical, epidemiological and laboratory indicators.
Following the confirmation of the novel coronavirus, WHO - under the International Health Regulations - immediately alerted all its Member States about the virus and has been leading the coordination and providing guidance to health authorities and technical health agencies. WHO is also identifying a network of laboratories that can provide expertise on coronaviruses for countries.
Hong Kong – which saw 300 deaths during the SARS epidemic of 2003 – is understandably proactive in their approach, and has released a number of interim guidelines for identifying, and dealing with this emerging pathogen.
These were posted overnight on the Centre for Health Protection website.
Advice to School on Prevention of Novel Coronavirus Infection (26 September 2012)
26 September 2012
Interim Recommendations on Infection Control for Novel Coronavirus (25 September 2012)
26 September 2012
Meanwhile, the ECDC has put forth their own recommendations.
Novel Coronavirus (September 2012)
Human coronaviruses were first identified in the mid 1960s and are named for the crown-like projections on the surface of the virus. They are a group of viruses that cause respiratory infections in humans and animals.
- Infection Control Advice Novel Coronavirus Cases (PDF, 193 KB)
This document outlines infection control and other general advice for personnel who may be involved in receiving and caring for patients, primarily within healthcare settings, who may be infected with a novel coronavirus.
Added/updated: 25 September 2012
- Information for healthcare professionals - novel coronavirus September 2012
On 22 September 2012 a novel coronavirus was identified in lower respiratory tract specimens of a Qatari national who was receiving treatment for a severe respiratory illness in London.
Added/updated: 25 September 2012
- Partial genetic sequence information for scientists about the Novel Coronavirus 2012
The sequence obtained at HPA has been tentatively named as London1_novel CoV 2012.
Added/updated: 25 September 2012
- Questions and answers - novel coronavirus September 2012
Questions and answers on the novel coronavirus causing acute respiratory illness.
Added/updated: 24 September 2012
We are in the very early days in this epidemiological investigation, and it is far too soon to know if this emerging virus will spread further, or simply recede into the shadows.
For now, at least, the threat appears low.
But over the next few days and weeks, we will get a better handle on what threat, if any, this virus really poses to public health.
Stay tuned.
