# 7253
Yesterday (May 8th) the CDC posted updates to their novel coronavirus webpage, including an updated Q&A overview, and a situation update which includes case definitions, links to a variety of guidance documents, and a brief discussion on what is known about this virus, including its potential for transmission.
Some excerpts below, but follow the links to read them in their entirety.
Novel Coronavirus
Updates-May 2013
In all, 31 people in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and France 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 the U.S. getting infected and sick with the novel coronavirus.
- March 7, 2013 MMWR: Update: Severe Respiratory Illness Associated with a Novel Coronavirus - Worldwide, 2012-2013
- Update and revised case definition for healthcare professionals and state and local health departments
- Travel Notice: Novel (New) Coronavirus in the Arabian Peninsula and United Kingdom
Update, Case Definitions, and Guidance
Update
CDC continues to work closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners to better understand the public health risk presented by recently reported cases of infection with a novel coronavirus. As of May 8, 2013, 31 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported to WHO - 22 from Saudi Arabia, two from Qatar, two from Jordan, three from the United Kingdom, one from the United Arab Emirates, and one from France. The onset of illness was between April 2012 and May 2013 (1). Among the 31 cases, 18 were fatal. Two of the 31 cases experienced a mild respiratory illness and fully recovered.
Clusters of cases in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Kingdom are being investigated. The first cluster of two cases, both fatal, occurred near Amman, Jordan, in April 2012. Stored samples from these two cases tested positive retrospectively for the novel coronavirus. This cluster was temporally associated with cases of illness among workers in a hospital (2). A second cluster occurred in October 2012, in Saudi Arabia. Of the four individuals in the household, three were laboratory-confirmed cases, two of them died. In February 2013, a third cluster of three family members was identified in the United Kingdom. All three people tested positive for novel coronavirus. Among them, two died, and one recovered after experiencing a mild respiratory illness. This cluster provides evidence of person-to-person transmission of novel coronavirus. It also provides the first example of mild illness being associated with novel coronavirus infection. A fourth cluster among two family contacts occurred in Saudi Arabia in February 2013. One of the individuals died, and one recovered after experiencing a mild respiratory illness. In May 2013, a fifth cluster was reported in Saudi Arabia and is linked to one healthcare facility. A total of 13 cases have been reported in the cluster, of which seven have died. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health is investigating the situation.
There is clear evidence of limited, not sustained, human-to-human transmission, possibly involving different modes of transmission such as droplet and contact transmission. But further studies are required to better understand the risks. The efficiency of person-to-person transmission of novel coronavirus is not well characterized but appears to be low, given the small number of confirmed cases since the discovery of the virus.
The reservoir and route of transmission of the novel coronavirus are still being investigated. Genetic sequencing to date has determined the virus is most closely related to coronaviruses detected in bats. CDC is continuing to collaborate with WHO and affected countries to better characterize the epidemiology of novel coronavirus infection in humans.
Overview of the Novel Coronavirus
Q: What is the new human coronavirus?
A: The new virus is a beta coronavirus. It is different from other coronaviruses that have been found in people before.
Q: Is this virus the same as the SARS virus?
A: No. The novel coronavirus is not the same virus that caused severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003. However, like the SARS virus, the novel coronavirus is most similar to those found in bats. CDC is still learning about this new virus.
Q: How many people have been infected?
A: From April 2012 to May 2013, a total of 31 people from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and France were confirmed to have an infection caused by the novel coronavirus.
Saudi Arabia: 22 people; 13 of them died
Qatar: 2 people; both survived
Jordan: 2 people; both died
UK: 3 people; 2 died, 1 recovered
UAE: 1 person; died
France: 1 person, receiving treatment
For more information, see the World Health Organization (WHO)
.
Q: What are the symptoms of novel coronavirus infection?
A: Most people who got infected with the novel coronavirus developed severe acute respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Only two people experienced a mild respiratory illness.
Q: Does the virus spread from person to person?
A: In the UK, one infected person likely spread the virus to two family members. This cluster of cases provides the first evidence of person-to-person transmission. The UK's Public Health England
