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It's been less than two hours since the news began to emerge of the first confirmed case of China's recently identified coronavirus being detected outside of the Mainland (see Thailand MOH Confirms 1st Imported Case Of Novel Coronavirus), and in the past few minutes the World Health Organization emailed the following brief statement out to the press.
WHO statement on novel coronavirus in Thailand
13 January 2020 - The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with officials in Thailand and China following reports of confirmation of the novel coronavirus in a person in Thailand.
The person was a traveler from Wuhan, China, and was identified by Thai officials on 8 January, and hospitalized that day. The person is recovering from the illness according to Thai officials.
The possibility of cases being identified in other countries was not unexpected, and reinforces why WHO calls for on-going active monitoring and preparedness in other countries. WHO has issued guidance on how to detect and treat persons ill with the new virus.
The genetic sequencing shared by China enables more countries to rapidly diagnose patients.
WHO reiterates that it is essential that investigations continue in China to identify the source of this outbreak and any animal reservoirs or intermediate hosts.
Given developments, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will consult with Emergency Committee members and could call for a meeting of the committee on short notice.
Related links:
Coronavirus:
https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
Disease Outbreak News:
https://www.who.int/csr/don/en/
Media Contacts
Tarik Jasarevic
Telephone: +41227915099
Mobile: +41793676214
Email: jasarevict@who.int
Fadela Chaib
Telephone: +41 22 791 3228
Mobile: +41 79 475 5556
Email: chaibf@who.int
