#14,701
The World Health Organization has just published their first 2019-nCoV SitRep; a 5 page PDF which provides a timeline and summary of outbreaks to date.
As events are moving so fast, this first SitRep doesn't include the Taiwan or U.S. imported cases, and the case counts listed have already grown.I've only reproduced a portion of the document, so follow the link to download it and read it in its entirety.
Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) SITUATION REPORT - 1
Data as reported by: 20 January 2020
SUMMARY
Event highlights from 31 December 2019 to 20 January 2020:
- On 31 December 2019, the WHO China Country Office was informed of cases of pneumonia unknown etiology (unknown cause) detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. From 31 December 2019 through 3 January 2020, a total of 44 case-patients with pneumonia of unknown etiology were reported to WHO by the national authorities in China. During this reported period, the causal agent was not identified.
- On 11 and 12 January 2020, WHO received further detailed information from the National Health Commission China that the outbreak is associated with exposures in one seafood market in Wuhan City.
- The Chinese authorities identified a new type of coronavirus, which was isolated on 7 January 2020.
- On 12 January 2020, China shared the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus for countries to use in developing specific diagnostic kits.
- On 13 January 2020, the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand reported the first imported case of lab-confirmed novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
- On 15 January 2020, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan (MHLW) reported an imported case of laboratory-confirmed 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
- On 20 January 2020, National IHR Focal Point (NFP) for Republic of Korea reported the first case of novel coronavirus in the Republic of Korea.
(SNIP)
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE:
WHO:
• WHO has been in regular and direct contact with Chinese as well as Japanese, Korean and Thai authorities since the reporting of these cases. The three countries have shared information with WHO under the International Health Regulations. WHO is also informing other countries about the situation and providing support as requested;
• On 2 January, the incident management system was activated across the three levels of WHO (country office, regional office and headquarters);
• Developed the surveillance case definitions for human infection with 2019-nCoV and is updating it as per the new information becomes available;
• Developed interim guidance for laboratory diagnosis, clinical management, infection prevention and control in health care settings, home care for mild patients, risk communication and community engagement;
• Prepared disease commodity package for supplies necessary in identification and management of confirmed patients;
• Provided recommendations to reduce risk of transmission from animals to humans;
• Updated the travel advice for international travel in health in relation to the outbreak of pneumonia caused by a new coronavirus in China;
• Utilizing global expert networks and partnerships for laboratory, infection prevention and control, clinical management and mathematical modelling;
• Activation of R&D blueprint to accelerate diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics;
• WHO is working with our networks of researchers and other experts to coordinate global work on surveillance, epidemiology, modelling, diagnostics, clinical care and treatment, and other ways to identify, manage the disease and limit onward transmission. WHO has issued interim guidance for countries, updated to take into account the current situation.
(Continue . . . )
