The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
The World Health Organization (WHO) today confirmed the presence of new coronavirus in China, a respiratory illness with 41 confirmed cases and one death to date, as investigations continue and health agencies prepare for a possible outbreak.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jašarević told journalists that after a "new coronavirus" (technically known as “novel coronavirus”, or “nCoV”, which is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans) was detected in a hospitalized person with pneumonia in Wuhan, "Chinese authorities updated confirmed cases to 41," he said. Of the 41 confirmed cases, seven have been discharged, six are said to be severe cases, and one person has died.
“Chinese authorities shared the complete genomic sequence with WHO and with the public”, Jašarević said, that this would be of great importance for other countries to use in developing specific diagnostic kits.
According to the preliminary epidemiological investigation, most cases involved people who either worked at or were handlers and frequent visitors to a single seafood market in the central city of Wuhan, but one confirmed case involved a woman travelling from Wuhan to Thailand.
“Epidemiologic investigations are under way and we are waiting for the results of these but yes, it is certainly possible that there is limited human to human transmission,’ said Dr. Maria D Van Kerkhove , WHO’s Head of the Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses Unit. There is currently no travel ban to Wuhan, and more information will be released as investigations continue.
Dr. Van Kerkhove observed that “the experience of our member states have had with these pathogens”, referring to previous outbreaks of SARS and MERS, “have prepared us for this.” She stressed that “a lot of work that is ongoing for MERS coronavirus that can be applicable here” and can be adapted to deal with this new coronavirus.
The clinical signs and symptoms reported are mainly fever, with a few cases having difficulty in breathing, and chest radiographs showing invasive pneumonic infiltrates in both lungs. National authorities report that patients have been isolated and are receiving treatment in Wuhan medical institutions.
Dr. Van Kerkhove stressed that WHO is closely monitoring the situation and is in regular contact with national authorities in China to provide support required.
“This is something the global community is preparing for, and all of the systems are in place to activate our plans and to utilize the materials that we developed for SARS, for MERS, and adapt them to our current situation,” she told media at the United Nations in Geneva. Technical guidance on the novel coronavirus has been developed and will continue to be updated as additional information is available, she added.
- Wide shot: exterior, flag alley, Palais des Nations, United Nations Geneva.
- Wide shot, press briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (EN) Tarik Jašarević (WHO): “On January 9th, Chinese authorities made a preliminary determination of a new coronavirus identified in a hospitalized person with pneumonia in Wuhan. Two days later, Chinese authorities issued additional information updating case numbers to 41 from initially 59, and reporting one death. Chinese authorities also shared the complete genomic sequence with WHO and with the public”.
- Medium shot: podium
- SOUNDBITE (EN) Maria D Van Kerkhove (Head, Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses Unit, WHO): “Epidemiologic investigations are under way and we are waiting for the results of these but yes, it is certainly possible that there is limited human-to-human transmission. There are many similarities to SARS and MERS. This is a coronavirus and this helps us. The experience that we have with SARS and with MERS, the experience of our member states who have experience with these pathogens have prepared us for this. This is not unexpected. This is something that the global community is preparing for, and all of the systems are in place to activate our plans and to utilize the materials that we developed for SARS, for MERS, and adapt them to our current situation.”
- Wide shot, press briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (EN) Maria D Van Kerkhove (Head, Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses Unit, WHO): “There are some antivirals that are in consideration, and these are antivirals that are used for other diseases that could be repurposed for a novel coronavirus infection. There are immunotherapies that are under consideration- monoclonals or polyclonals- but again there is a lot of work that is ongoing for MERS coronavirus that can be applicable here.”
- Medium shot: podium
- Medium shot: journalists
- Medium shot: journalists
- Close-up: journalist
- Close-up: journalist
Similar Stories
1
1
2
Edited News | OHCHR , WHO
Amid reports of intensifying Israeli bombing in Lebanon and Gaza overnight and continuing Hezbollah rocket fire into Israel, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, called on Friday for an end to the “killing, destruction [and] bellicose posturing” by those in power.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk updates the Human Rights Council in Geneva on the situation in Haiti
1
1
1
Edited News | HRC
Volker Türk, Haut-Commissaire des Nations Unies aux droits de l'Homme au sujet de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC)
1
1
1
Edited News | WFP , OHCHR
UN humanitarians in Lebanon on Tuesday described the massive challenge of trying to reach some 1.2 million people who have fled heavy Israeli bombardment and evacuation orders, driven by the fear that what happened in Gaza may befall them, too.
1
1
1
Edited News | IOM , UNHCR
Main road connecting Lebanon to Syria closed to vehicles after Israeli strike, says UN refugee agency
The major road connecting Lebanon to Syria was hit by Israeli airstrikes overnight near the key Masnaa border crossing where tens of thousands have been fleeing Lebanon into Syria in the past two weeks, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
The UN Human Rights Office on Tuesday published its latest report on Ukraine. It covers key human rights developments from 1 June to 31 August 2024, during which civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure increased significantly.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , OHCHR
Amid the start of a reported Israeli ground offensive against the Hezbollah armed group in southern Lebanon and fears of more civilian suffering, the UN launched an urgent humanitarian appeal on Tuesday to support those most in need in the country.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
At the bi-weekly press briefingUN Human Rights spokeperson Liz Throssell made the following comments on hostilities in the Middle East.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
"No more lives should be lost to this senseless criminality" - A UN Human Rights Office report on Friday called on the Haitian authorities and the international community to step up efforts to stem the gang violence that has blighted the Caribbean nation.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , UNHCR
The sudden and massive escalation between Israel and the Hezbollah armed group in Lebanon has created widespread fear that even worse is to come, UN humanitarians said on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
The UN Human Rights Office on Tuesday voiced alarm at the loss of life as a result of the escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNICEF , WHO
As Lebanon mourns the victims of a wave of Israeli airstrikes believed to have left hundreds dead, UN humanitarians warned on Tuesday against a return to the “dark days of 2006” when full-scale war broke out, calling for an urgent de-escalation and the protection of civilians.