https://www.ersnet.org/the-society/news/novel-coronavirus-outbreak--update-and-information-for-healthcare-professionals
ERS 22.01.2022
Novel Coronavirus outbreak:
update and information for healthcare professionals
What is the novel coronavirus?
The World Health Organization (WHO) describe coronaviruses as a large family of viruses that can cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The 2019 novel coronavirus, or “2019-nCoV”, is a new strain that has not been identified in humans before.
Situation summary: where, when and possible source
On 31 December 2019, the WHO was informed of several cases of viral pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan City, China. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports that 2019-nCoV patients exhibited symptoms such as fever and dyspnoea.
According to the ECDC, most cases of 2019-nCoV had an epidemiological link to Wuhan’s South China Seafood City market, which is a wholesale market for seafood and live animals.
On 13 January 2020, Thai health authorities confirmed two imported 2019-nCoV cases in Thailand, and on 14 January 2020, the Japanese Ministry of Health also reported a case of 2019-nCoV in a man who had travelled to Wuhan, China.
Reportedly there have been six deaths related to the outbreak, of which the most recent case was announced on 21 January 2020.
How is the virus transmitted?
On 20 January 2020, China’s National Health Commission confirmed for the first time that 2019-nCoV could be transmitted from human to human, and said that two people in China’s Guangdong province had been infected in this way.
In a separate statement posted to its official Weibo account (also on 20 January) the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said that at least 15 medical workers in Wuhan had been infected with the virus.
The WHO offers standard recommendations to prevent the spread of coronavirus, including regular hand washing, covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Where possible, the WHO also advises avoiding close contact with persons showing symptoms of respiratory illness, including coughing and sneezing.
What is the risk of cases in the European region?
In its 2019-nCoV report the ECDC highlights that three airports in the European Union (EU) have direct flight connections to Wuhan, and that there are indirect flight connections to other EU hubs. Based on this, the ECDC concludes that the likelihood of the introduction of 2019-nCoV to the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) is considered low at this time, but the risk cannot be excluded.
In the EU, PREPARE has reached out to clinical sites and diagnostic labs to ensure that they are ready, and researchers are currently developing a clinical protocol that can be implemented swiftly in the event that cases of 2019-nCoV are reported in the region. Read the full PREPARE report for more information on its outbreak response mode and next steps.
Advice for healthcare professionals
The WHO reports that common signs of coronavirus infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
As with SARS and MERS, when dealing with suspected 2019-nCoV cases, health professionals should follow CDC airborne precautions and wear respiratory masks (N95 or higher) during intubation and when entering a negative pressure room.
The ECDC has developed guidelines to support EU and EEA Member States in the testing of individuals for 2019-nCoV, which covers the epidemiological and clinical criteria that should prompt laboratory testing of suspected cases of 2019-nCoV. The criteria include:
| Epidemiological criteria | Clinical criteria |
|---|---|
| Any person with travel-history to Wuhan City, China in the 14 days before the onset of illness | Any person with clinical symptoms compatible with severe acute respiratory infection seeking healthcare or admitted to hospital with clinical or radiological evidence of pneumonia |
| (or) Any person being in close contact with a laboratory-confirmed case of 2019-nCoV in the 14 days before the onset of illness | (or) Any person with fever or recent history of fever (>=38°C) and acute respiratory infection (sudden onset of respiratory infection with one or more of the following symptoms: shortness of breath, cough or sore throat) |
The ECDC also advise that infection with 2019-nCoV should be immediately reported to the Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) in accordance with Decision No 1082/2013 on serious cross-border threats to health and to the IHR system in accordance with the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR).
Further information:
- World Health Organization guidance on Coronavirus
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: Rapid Risk Assessment of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
- PREPARE - European response to outbreak with Novel Coronavirus in China (press release)
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2019 Novel Coronavirus Summary
- Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information on Coronavirus
Last updated: 22 January, 2020
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