#14,659
Roughly 8 hours ago Crof at Crofsblog posted a small media mention in the Japanese press of a positive coronavirus case in Japan (see Wuhan pneumonia confirmed for the first time in Japan). A short time later, the newshounds at FluTrackers posted the same item (see thread).
Initial details were practically nonexistent, and at the time none of the government websites had posted a confirmation. But in the past few hours Japan's MOH has released a statement (see below) that confirms the story.In this case, the patient (M, 30s) returned from visiting Wuhan, China on January 6th, and visited a clinic on the same day complaining of fever and respiratory symptoms. He could not be tested because at that time the type of virus had not yet been identified, and no test was available.
He was eventually hospitalized on the 10th (apparently with pneumonia), and late on the 15th samples sent to Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
By that time, however, the patient's symptoms had improved enough for the patient to be released from the hospital.According to preliminary information this patient is not listed as having visited any live markets while in Wuhan City, but may have had ` . . . . Potential close contact with unspecified pneumonia patients in China.'
The type and circumstance of exposure was not specified.This becomes the second confirmed exported case of this novel coronavirus (see WHO DON Update: Novel Coronavirus in Thailand (ex China), and raises new questions over the possible human-to-human transmission of the virus, and as both exported cases have been described as relatively mild, raises concerns that other mild cases may be going undetected.
There are still gaps in the narrative, and many details have yet to be nailed down. The (translated) MOH statement follows.
Outbreak of patients with pneumonia associated with new type coronavirus
On January 14, a medical institution in Kanagawa Prefecture reported a case of pneumonia with a history of staying in Wuhan, Hubei Province, to a health center in charge of the administration. About this person, when he / she visited a medical institution on January 6, a report of his / her stay history in Wuhan was made. It was reported based on the inspection system (similarity surveillance).
A sample of the patient was tested at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (Murayama Government Building), and a positive result for the new coronavirus was obtained yesterday (January 15) at around 20:45. It is the first time that domestic cases of pneumonia related to the new coronavirus have been confirmed in Japan.
We will carry out active epidemiological investigations on this matter, and promote risk assessment in cooperation with related organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO).
Outline
(1) Age: 30s◆ Message to the people
(2) Gender: Male
(3) Residential prefecture: Kanagawa
(4) Symptoms: Fever since January 3.
Returned from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China on January 6. On the same day, he visited a medical institution.
Hospitalized from January 10th.
On January 15, the symptoms subsided and the patient was discharged.(5) Country of stay: People's Republic of China (Wuhan City, Hubei Province)
(6) History of activity in the country of stay: According to reports from the person himself, he has not stopped by the seafood market in Wuhan (South China Seafood Castle).
Potential close contact with unspecified pneumonia patients in China.
According to the WHO and National Institute of Infectious Diseases risk assessments of new coronavirus-associated pneumonia, there are currently cases in which the possibility of limited human-to-human transmission of this disease, including among families, cannot be ruled out
However, there is no clear evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. It is important to take regular infection control measures such as cough etiquette and hand washing, taking into account the cold and flu season.
If you are returning or entering the country from Wuhan City, if you have symptoms such as cough or fever, please wear a mask and consult a medical institution as soon as possible. To do. In addition, please declare that you have a history of staying in Wuhan City.
(Others)
○ We will continue to provide prompt and accurate information, so please cooperate in providing accurate information to the public. n addition, please refrain from interviewing on site from the viewpoint of protecting the privacy of patients.
(Reference)
Coronavirus is a virus hat causes infectious diseases widely among humans and animals. There are six known causes of infectious diseases in humans, but SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus) and MERS-CoV (middle east respiratory syndrome), which can cause serious respiratory illness Other than coronavirus, infections are limited to non-severe symptoms such as a common cold. See the National Institute of Infectious Diseases information page for details.
○ National Institute of Infectious Diseases Coronavirus that infects humans
https://www.niid.go.jp/niid/ja/from-idsc/2482-2020-01-10-06-50-40/9303-coronavirus. html
