Photo Credit NIAID
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This afternoon the CDC has released a series of NCoV updates, including a new MMWR report, an updated Q&A, along with low level travel notice on their Travelers Health website.
Our first stop is the CDC’s NOVEL CORONAVIRUS webpage, where you can find general information about coronaviruses and the following update.
Updates-March 2013
In all, 14 people in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and the United Kingdom have been confirmed as having an infection caused by the novel coronavirus. Investigations are being done to figure out the source of the novel coronavirus and how it spreads.
So far, there are no reports of anyone in U.S. getting infected and sick with the novel coronavirus.
Today’s MMWR update adds to previous reports, such as this one from last October (see CDC. Severe respiratory illness associated with a novel coronavirus—Saudi Arabia and Qatar, 2012. MMWR 2012;61:820).
Update: Severe Respiratory Illness Associated with a Novel Coronavirus — Worldwide, 2012–2013
Early Release
March 7, 2013 / 62(Early Release);1-2CDC continues to work closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners to better understand the public health risk posed by a novel coronavirus that was first reported to cause human infection in September 2012 (1–3). Genetic sequence analyses have shown that this new virus is different from any other known human coronaviruses, including the one that caused severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) (2). As of March 7, 2013, a total of 14 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection have been reported to WHO, with eight deaths (4). Illness onsets have occurred from April 2012 through February 2013 (4,5). To date, no cases have been reported in the United States.
Three of the confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection were identified in the United Kingdom (UK) as part of a cluster within one family (6). The index patient in the cluster, a man aged 60 years with a history of recent travel to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, developed respiratory illness on January 24, 2013, before returning to the UK on January 28 (5,7,8). He was hospitalized on January 31 with severe lower respiratory tract disease and has been receiving intensive care (5,7,8). Respiratory specimens from this patient taken on February 1 tested positive for influenza A (H1N1) virus and for novel coronavirus infection (8). The second patient was an adult male household member with an underlying medical condition who became ill on February 6, after contact with the index patient, and received intensive treatment but died with severe respiratory disease (5,9). This patient's underlying illness might have made him more susceptible to severe respiratory infection. The third patient is an adult female who developed a respiratory illness on February 5, following contact with the index patient after he was hospitalized (5,10). She did not require hospitalization and had recovered by February 19 (5,6). Only the index patient had traveled recently outside the UK. Based on their ongoing investigation of this cluster of illnesses, the UK Health Protection Agency has concluded that person-to-person transmission likely occurred in the UK within this family (6).
This recent cluster provides the first clear evidence of human-to-human transmission of this novel coronavirus, coinfection of this novel coronavirus with another pathogen (influenza A), and a case of mild illness associated with this novel coronavirus infection. In light of these developments, updated guidance has been posted on the CDC coronavirus website (http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ncv). Persons who develop severe acute lower respiratory illness within 10 days after traveling from the Arabian Peninsula or neighboring countries* should continue to be evaluated according to current guidelines. Persons whose respiratory illness remains unexplained and who meet criteria for "patient under investigation" should be reported immediately to CDC through state and local health departments. Persons who develop severe acute lower respiratory illness of known etiology within 10 days after traveling from the Arabian Peninsula or neighboring countries but who do not respond to appropriate therapy may be considered for evaluation for novel coronavirus infection. In addition, persons who develop severe acute lower respiratory illness who are close contacts† of a symptomatic traveler who developed fever and acute respiratory illness within 10 days of traveling from the Arabian Peninsula or neighboring countries may be considered for evaluation for novel coronavirus infection. Testing of specimens for the novel coronavirus will be conducted at CDC.
Recommendations and guidance on case definitions, infection control (including use of personal protective equipment), case investigation, and specimen collection and shipment for testing, are available at the CDC coronavirus website. Additional information and potentially frequent updates will be posted on the CDC coronavirus website. State and local health departments with questions should contact the CDC Emergency Operations Center (770-488-7100).
And finally, the CDC’s Travel Health division has posted an `In the News’ level Travel Notice – the lowest of four stages of notices they issue (the others in order of increasing importance are Outbreak Notice, Travel Health Precaution, and Travel Health Warning), on the novel coronavirus linked to the Middle East.
In the News
Novel (New) Coronavirus in the Arabian PeninsulaThis information is current as of today, March 07, 2013 at 00:29 EST
Updated: December 20, 2012
What Is the Current Situation?
In recent months, a new (or novel) coronavirus has been identified in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan. Public health authorities around the world are increasing monitoring of respiratory illnesses and collaborating to learn more about the new coronavirus and the disease in humans.
The risk of the new coronavirus for travelers is thought to be low. CDC recommends that travelers to countries on the Arabian Peninsula or neighboring countries monitor their health and see a doctor right away if symptoms such as cough, breathing difficulties, and fever develop. Countries on and near the Arabian Peninsula are Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestinian territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen.
What Is a Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a cause of the common cold. A coronavirus also was the cause of the severe respiratory illness called SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). SARS caused a global epidemic in 2003, but there has not been any known case of SARS since 2004. This new coronavirus is not similar to the coronavirus that caused SARS.
What Is Known About This New Coronavirus?
Little is known about this new coronavirus. For example, it is not yet known how this virus is spread. What is known is that this virus is different from any other that has been previously found in humans. Symptoms of this new virus appear to be fever, cough, and breathing difficulties.
How Can Travelers Protect Themselves?
Although little is known at this time about how this virus is spread, taking these everyday actions can help prevent the spread of germs and protect against colds, flu, and other illness:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- There is no vaccine for this new coronavirus, but there are shots available to protect you from other illnesses. Be sure you are up to date with all of your shots, and see your healthcare provider at least 4 to 6 weeks if possible before travel to get any additional shots. Visit CDC’s Coronavirus website for more information about this situation and Travelers' Health website for more information on healthy travel.
- This new coronavirus causes a respiratory infection that may be confused with influenza. It is therefore especially important to get a flu vaccine as this will help your doctor look for other causes for your illness should you develop any flu-like symptoms.
- If you are sick
- Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid contact with other people to keep from infecting them.
