The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
Amid rising cases of new infections of the respiratory illness novel coronavirus in China and three other countries, the World Health Organisation (WHO) today informed that their emergency committee will convene tomorrow to advise if the current situation in China constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.
Speaking to the media today at the United Nations in Geneva, WHO’s spokesperson Tarik Jašarević said that “the Director-General has convened the Emergency Committee for tomorrow, Wednesday 22nd January, to advise him if the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern and what recommendations should be put in place”.
Mr. Jasarevic informed that “so far, worldwide there has been a total of 278 officially reported confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus”.
According to Chinese Health Officials, six people have died since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease in December 2019.
Yesterday, China’s health authorities confirmed a human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus which could make the virus spread more quickly and widely.
According to WHO’s spokesperson, “4 cases have been reported outside China, two in Thailand, one in Japan and one in the Republic of Korea. This is what we have been informing about you previously”.
He added that “more cases should be expected in other parts of China and possibly in other countries in the coming days. A team from WHO are concluding a mission with health officials in Wuhan working on the response to novel coronavirus”.
The WHO said that the outbreak was believed to have originated in a seafood and animal market in the city of Wuhan from where it is spreading to cities including Beijing and Shanghai.
“Based on current information, an animal source seems the most likely primary source of this outbreak with limited human-to-human trans missional occurring between close contacts”, Tarik Jasarevic told the media. He confirmed that there is a human-to-human transmission. “Based on previous experiences with respiratory illnesses and in particular with other coronavirus outbreaks and other data analysis shared with China, human-to- human transmission is occurring”.
The virus causes a type of pneumonia and belongs to the same family of coronaviruses as SARS. Symptoms include fever and difficulty in breathing, which are similar to many other respiratory diseases.
According to Jasarevic, “reports suggest that the novel coronavirus infection can cause mild to severe disease and be fatal in some. Based on current data, some new cases seem to experience milder diseases which is within the milder end of the spectrum of symptoms caused by respiratory illnesses”.
So far, WHO has not recommended trade or travel restrictions. To reduce exposure and transmission of the novel coronavirus, WHO recommends cleaning hands with soap and water, covering mouth and nose with masks or sleeve when coughing or sneezing and seek medical advice if a person is showing symptoms.
The novel coronavirus has caused alarm because of its connection to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which killed nearly 650 people across China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.
- Exterior, Palais des Nations
- Wide shot, press briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English) - Tarik Jašarević, Spokesperson of the World Health Organisation (WHO): “The Director-General has convened the Emergency Committee for tomorrow, Wednesday 22nd January, to advise him if the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern and what recommendations should be put in place”.
- Medium shot, journalists
- 5.SOUNDBITE (English) - Tarik Jašarević, Spokesperson of the World Health Organisation (WHO): “So far, worldwide there has been a total of 278 officially reported confirmed cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus”.
- Wide shot, press briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English) - Tarik Jašarević, Spokesperson of the World Health Organisation (WHO): “So far 4 cases have been reported outside China, two in Thailand, one in Japan and one in the Republic of Korea. This is what we have been informing about you previously. More cases should be expected in other parts of China and possibly in other countries in the coming days. A team from WHO are concluding a mission with health officials in Wuhan working on the response to Novel Coronavirus”.
- Close up, journalist
- SOUNDBITE (English) - Tarik Jašarević, Spokesperson of the World Health Organisation (WHO): “Based on current information, an animal source seems the most likely primary source of this outbreak with limited human-to-human trans missional occurring between close contacts. Based on previous experiences with respiratory illnesses and in particular with other Coronavirus outbreaks and other data analysis shared with China, human to human transmission is occurring”.
- Medium shot, journalists
- SOUNDBITE (English) - Tarik Jašarević, Spokesperson of the World Health Organisation (WHO): “Reports suggest that the Novel Coronavirus infection can cause mild to severe disease and be fatal in some. Based on current data, some new cases seem to experience milder diseases which is within the milder end of the spectrum of symptoms caused by respiratory illnesses”.
- Wide shot, panel
- Medium shot, panel
- Medium shot, journalists
- Two shot, journalists
- Close up, hands typing
- Medium shot, journalists
Similar Stories
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango today told the bi-weekly UN press briefing in Geneva of more details that are emerging on the atrocities committed in El Fasher, in Sudan during and after its takeover by the Rapid Support Forces.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango made the following comment on Friday at the bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani made the following comment on Friday at the bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , WHO
Sudan: UN Raises Alarm Over Mass Atrocities in El Fasher as Survivors Report Executions, Killings and Rapes
More details continue to emerge about atrocities committed during and after the fall of El Fasher to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan on 23 October. Since the powerful paramilitary group made a major incursion into the city last week, the UN Human Rights Office has received “horrendous accounts of summary executions, mass killings, rapes, attacks against humanitarian workers, looting, abductions and forced displacement,” said Seif Magango, spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA
Ukraine: Russian attacks on energy terrorize population as winter starts; could trigger major ‘crisis within crisis’
The UN’s top aid official in Ukraine expressed concern on Friday about “continuous attacks” on energy production sites and distribution facilities.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
The telecommunications shutdowns in Afghanistan in September had serious and far-reaching impacts on people’s lives, according to a briefing paper published today by the UN Human Rights Office and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Jeremy Laurence at the UN Geneva press briefing made the following comment on the ASEAN declaration on the right to a healthy environment.
1
1
1
Edited News | IFRC , OCHA , WMO
‘Catastrophic’ Hurricane Melissa hours from landfall in Jamaica as humanitarians rush to save lives
Millions in Jamaica and across the Caribbean are bracing for massive impact from Hurricane Melissa on Tuesday as the UN and partners are warning of a “severe” and “immediate” humanitarian threat.
1
1
Edited News | WHO
‘We need all routes to open’: in Gaza WHO calls for ramp-up of medevacs, easier access for essentials
Two weeks since a ceasefire agreement entered into force in Gaza the World Health Organization (WHO) noted progress on the flow of aid while calling for more evacuations of critical patients and eased entry for essential medicines and supplies.
1
12
1
1
Edited News | WMO , UNITED NATIONS
UN chief urges boost to life-saving weather warning systems, stresses role of climate change science
No country is safe from the devastating impacts of extreme weather — and saving lives means making early-warning systems accessible to all, UN chief António Guterres said on Wednesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | WFP
Gazans’ response to food distributions ‘overwhelming’ as humanitarians scale up under fragile ceasefire
In Gaza, the ceasefire is enabling UN humanitarians to reach more desperate people with life-saving food, but greater access is needed to contain the spread of famine.
1
1
1
Edited News | WFP , OCHA
UN urges opening of all Gaza crossings to deliver three-month food supply
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has warned food aid cannot reach everyone in Gaza unless all border crossings are opened, particularly in the north where famine was declared in August. The agency says it already has enough supplies in place to feed the entire population of the Strip for three months – if full access is granted by Israel.