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Novel Coronavirus – Thailand (ex-China) Disease outbreak news 14 January 2020 On 13 January 2020, the Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) reported the first imported case of lab-confirmed novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The case is a 61-year-old Chinese woman living in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. On 5 January 2020, she developed fever with chills, sore throat and headache. On 8 January 2020, she took a direct flight to Thailand from Wuhan City together with five family members in a tour group of 16 people. The traveler with febrile illness was detected on the same day by thermal surveillance at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Thailand, and was hospitalized the same day. After temperature check and initial assessment, she was transferred to the hospital for further investigations and treatment. The patient’s full exposure history is under investigation. She reported a history of visiting a local fresh market in Wuhan on regular basis prior to the onset of illness on 5 January 2020; however, she did not report visiting the Huanan South China Seafood Market from where most of the cases were detected. Samples tested positive for coronaviruses by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on 12 January 2020. The genomic sequencing analysis performed by Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Center, the Thai Red Cross Society (EID-TRC) and the Thai National Institute of Health (Thai NIH), Department of Medical Sciences confirmed that the patient was infected with the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) which was isolated in Wuhan, China (for more information, please see the Disease Outbreak News published on 12 January 2020). As of this writing, the patient is in a stable condition and in hospital. Public health response The Ministry of Public Health Thailand implemented measures for screening travelers from Wuhan city on 3 January 2020 at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang, Phuket and Chiang Mai airports, and activated enhanced surveillance at public and private hospitals. Since the identification of the case on 5 January 2019, Thai health authorities have taken the following measures: Eight febrile travelers were detected by a thermo-scan at Suvarnabhumi Airport. They have been isolated and tested, and none of them have been confirmed with 2019-nCov infection. A total of 182 contacts were identified and are being monitored. The contacts were fellow passengers as well as members of the same tour group. Only one contact developed respiratory symptoms and the PCR test of throat swab yields positive for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Risk communication guidance has been shared with the public and a hotline has been established by the Department of Disease Control for people returning from the affected area in China with related symptoms. The Ministry of Public Health of Thailand has international-standard diagnosis and medical care, and is closely coordinating with WHO and related departments for the potential response measures. WHO risk assessment This is the first exported case of novel coronavirus from Wuhan city, China. Since the initial report of cases in Wuhan city on 31 December 2019, 41 cases have a preliminary diagnosis of 2019-nCoV infection, including 1 death in a person with severe underlying medical conditions (for more information, please see the Disease Outbreak News published on 12 January 2020). As the traveler did not report having visited the market linked to most of the other cases, it is vital that investigations continue to identify the source of infection. To date, China has not reported any cases of infection among healthcare workers or contacts of the cases. Based on the available information there is no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission. No additional cases have been detected since 3 January 2020 in China. Additional investigation is needed to ascertain the presence of human-to-human transmission, modes of transmission, common source of exposure and the presence of asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic cases that are undetected. It is critical to review all available information to fully understand the potential transmissibility among humans. WHO advice Health authorities should work with travel, transport and tourism sectors to provide travelers with information to reduce the general risk of acute respiratory infections via travel health clinics, travel agencies, conveyance operators and at points of entry. WHO has provided interim guidance for novel coronaviruses . WHO advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions on Thailand based on the information currently available on this event. For more information on novel coronavirus, please see: Technical interim guidance for novel coronavirus, WHO WHO travel advice for international travel and trade in relation to the outbreak of pneumonia caused by a new coronavirus in China Thailand Ministry of Public Health situation update on novel coronavirus (in Thai) Wuhan Municipal Health Commission's briefing on the pneumonia epidemic situation, (in Chinese) https://www.who.int/csr/don/14-january-2020-novel-coronavirus-thailand-ex-china/en/

Questions and answers on pneumonia outbreak of new coronavirus infection (January 14, 2020) Issuing authority: Wuhan City health committee | Published: 2020-01-15 00:10:06 | Hits: 2062 | Font Size: Da Zhong Small 1. Recently, a Wuhan tourists were patients diagnosed with pneumonia novel coronavirus infection in Thailand, please brief us on that. On January 13, 2020, Thailand reported a case of pneumonia with a new coronavirus infection from Wuhan. The city attaches great importance to timely investigation. The patient is a citizen of our city and is now receiving treatment in Thailand with a stable condition. At the same time, the health department conducted medical observations on all close contacts of the patient found, and currently has no abnormal performance. 2. At present, in order to detect pneumonia cases of new coronavirus infection as early as possible, what measures have been taken in our city? After the outbreak, the city quickly carry out the relevant case-screening of all medical institutions in the city, as of cases of pneumonia 41 At present, the clinical manifestations in patients with a comprehensive group of experts, epidemiological and laboratory testing results, the novel coronavirus infection example. Recently, the city further strengthened the case surveillance and search of work, while continuing to do a good job monitoring pneumonia of unknown causes, on the other hand to carry out a search in case the city's various medical institutions at all levels, for early detection of cases. 3. As of now, has there been any case of human-to-human transmission? Existing survey results show that clear human-to-human evidence has not been found, and the possibility of limited human-to-human transmission cannot be ruled out, but the risk of continued human-to-human transmission is low. Further research is currently underway combining clinical and epidemiological data. 4. Has a family clustering case been found? Among the 41 cases currently diagnosed , one was found to be clustered in the family. The husband and wife developed the disease first, and the husband first developed the disease. He was an employee of the South China Seafood Wholesale Market. His wife denied a history of South China Seafood Wholesale Market exposure. 5. What are close contacts? Why medical observation of close contacts for 14 days? If close contacts develop symptoms during the observation period, how can they be diagnosed and diagnosed? At present, the close contacts defined in this epidemic are those who live with patients, work and study in the same room, and live in the same room. Medical staff and caregivers who have not taken effective protective measures during the diagnosis and treatment of cases have not taken effective protective measures. Laboratory testing personnel, other patients or accompanying staff in the ward, other contact situations determined by disease control professionals in the same transportation with the patient and close contact with the person. With reference to the incubation period of diseases caused by other coronaviruses, information about this new coronavirus case, and current prevention and control practices, the medical observation period for close contacts is set to 14 days, and home medical observations are made for close contacts. During the observation period, once the close contacts are found to have abnormal clinical manifestations such as fever and cough, the close contacts will be sent to the designated medical institution for investigation, diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner. 6. What are the characteristics of the epidemic that have been found so far? What is the development trend of the epidemic? Of the 41 cases diagnosed, most were male, and the number of middle-aged and elderly people was higher. In the early stage of the case, fever and cough are the main symptoms, which can be manifested as persistent mild disease in the early stage. Older patients with underlying disease are more likely to progress to severe disease. Preliminary results of existing etiology studies and epidemiological investigations show that most of the cases are related to the South China Seafood Wholesale Market exposure, a few cases deny a history of South China Seafood Wholesale Market exposure, and some cases have been exposed to similar cases. No community transmission has been identified. 7. After closing the South China Seafood Wholesale Market, are there any findings in the market? What measures have other markets taken? After the South China Seafood Wholesale Market was closed, the city strengthened its disposal of market environmental hygiene, carried out disinfection and sanitary disposal of the market, and carried out garbage cleaning and disinfection. In order to strengthen the traceability work, environmental specimens are collected and tested in the market. At present, the test results found that some samples were positive for new coronavirus. At the same time, preliminary investigations have been conducted in other markets, and no clues related to the source of the infection have been found. http://wjw.wuhan.gov.cn/front/web/showDetail/2020011509040

Questions and answers on pneumonia outbreak of new coronavirus infection (January 14, 2020) Issuing authority: Wuhan City health committee | Published: 2020-01-15 00:10:06 | Hits: 2062 | Font Size: Da Zhong Small 1. Recently, a Wuhan tourists were patients diagnosed with pneumonia novel coronavirus infection in Thailand, please brief us on that. On January 13, 2020, Thailand reported a case of pneumonia with a new coronavirus infection from Wuhan. The city attaches great importance to timely investigation. The patient is a citizen of our city and is now receiving treatment in Thailand with a stable condition. At the same time, the health department conducted medical observations on all close contacts of the patient found, and currently has no abnormal performance. 2. At present, in order to detect pneumonia cases of new coronavirus infection as early as possible, what measures have been taken in our city? After the outbreak, the city quickly carry out the relevant case-screening of all medical institutions in the city, as of cases of pneumonia 41 At present, the clinical manifestations in patients with a comprehensive group of experts, epidemiological and laboratory testing results, the novel coronavirus infection example. Recently, the city further strengthened the case surveillance and search of work, while continuing to do a good job monitoring pneumonia of unknown causes, on the other hand to carry out a search in case the city's various medical institutions at all levels, for early detection of cases. 3. As of now, has there been any case of human-to-human transmission? Existing survey results show that clear human-to-human evidence has not been found, and the possibility of limited human-to-human transmission cannot be ruled out, but the risk of continued human-to-human transmission is low. Further research is currently underway combining clinical and epidemiological data. 4. Has a family clustering case been found? Among the 41 cases currently diagnosed , one was found to be clustered in the family. The husband and wife developed the disease first, and the husband first developed the disease. He was an employee of the South China Seafood Wholesale Market. His wife denied a history of South China Seafood Wholesale Market exposure. 5. What are close contacts? Why medical observation of close contacts for 14 days? If close contacts develop symptoms during the observation period, how can they be diagnosed and diagnosed? At present, the close contacts defined in this epidemic are those who live with patients, work and study in the same room, and live in the same room. Medical staff and caregivers who have not taken effective protective measures during the diagnosis and treatment of cases have not taken effective protective measures. Laboratory testing personnel, other patients or accompanying staff in the ward, other contact situations determined by disease control professionals in the same transportation with the patient and close contact with the person. With reference to the incubation period of diseases caused by other coronaviruses, information about this new coronavirus case, and current prevention and control practices, the medical observation period for close contacts is set to 14 days, and home medical observations are made for close contacts. During the observation period, once the close contacts are found to have abnormal clinical manifestations such as fever and cough, the close contacts will be sent to the designated medical institution for investigation, diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner. 6. What are the characteristics of the epidemic that have been found so far? What is the development trend of the epidemic? Of the 41 cases diagnosed, most were male, and the number of middle-aged and elderly people was higher. In the early stage of the case, fever and cough are the main symptoms, which can be manifested as persistent mild disease in the early stage. Older patients with underlying disease are more likely to progress to severe disease. Preliminary results of existing etiology studies and epidemiological investigations show that most of the cases are related to the South China Seafood Wholesale Market exposure, a few cases deny a history of South China Seafood Wholesale Market exposure, and some cases have been exposed to similar cases. No community transmission has been identified. 7. After closing the South China Seafood Wholesale Market, are there any findings in the market? What measures have other markets taken? After the South China Seafood Wholesale Market was closed, the city strengthened its disposal of market environmental hygiene, carried out disinfection and sanitary disposal of the market, and carried out garbage cleaning and disinfection. In order to strengthen the traceability work, environmental specimens are collected and tested in the market. At present, the test results found that some samples were positive for new coronavirus. At the same time, preliminary investigations have been conducted in other markets, and no clues related to the source of the infection have been found. http://wjw.wuhan.gov.cn/front/web/showDetail/2020011509040

Public hospital daily update on Wuhan-related cases ****************************************** The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: As at noon today (January 14), public hospitals have admitted three patients in the past 24 hours who have been to Wuhan in the past 14 days and presented with fever, respiratory infection or pneumonia symptoms. The patients concerned have not visited wet markets in Wuhan before the onset of symptoms. Including the above-mentioned cases, the Hospital Authority (HA) has reported 71 patient cases since December 31, 2019. Specimens of the patients concerned have been sent to the Department of Health (DH) for testing. Among all the suspected cases, 60 have been discharged and those patients staying in hospitals are in stable condition. Hospital Age Gender 1. Princess Margaret Hospital 21 Female 2. Queen Elizabeth Hospital 34 Male 3. United Christian Hospital 16 Male The HA will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner. Ends/Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Issued at HKT 17:05 https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202001/14/P2020011400516.htm

Wuhan Municipal Health and Health Committee's report on pneumonia of new coronavirus infection Issuing authority: Wuhan City health committee | Published: 2020-01-14 22:05:36 | Hits: 1469 | Font Size: Da Zhong Small January 2020 0-24 13th, the city no new novel coronavirus infection in cases of pneumonia, not cured cases and no new deaths were reported. Up to now, the city's cumulative reported cases of pneumonia novel coronavirus infection in 41 cases, seven cases have been cured in six cases of severe treatment, 1 patient died, the remaining patients had stable disease, patients were treated in isolation in Wuhan City designated medical institutions. Cumulative track close contacts of 763 people, 187 people have been released under medical observation, is still under medical observation 576 people, close contacts, we found no cases. Also, Thailand informed diagnosis of pneumonia cases from the novel coronavirus infection in Wuhan in 1 case. The case is currently being hospitalized in Thailand isolation, in close contact with its ongoing tracking and return home medical observation. January 14, 2020 http://wjw.wuhan.gov.cn/front/web/showDetail/2020011409039

On 13 January 2020, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Thailand reported the first imported case of lab-confirmed novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The case is a 61-year-old Chinese woman living in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. On 5 January 2020, she developed fever with chills, sore throat and headache. On 8 January 2020, she took a direct flight to Thailand from Wuhan City together with five family members in a tour group of 16 people. The traveler with febrile illness was detected on the same day by thermal surveillance at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Thailand, and was hospitalized the same day. After temperature check and initial assessment, she was transferred to the hospital for further investigations and treatment. View the full article

On 13 January 2020, the Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) reported the first imported case of lab-confirmed novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The case is a 61-year-old Chinese woman living in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. On 5 January 2020, she developed fever with chills, sore throat and headache. On 8 January 2020, she took a direct flight to Thailand from Wuhan City together with five family members in a tour group of 16 people. The traveler with febrile illness was detected on the same day by thermal surveillance at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Thailand, and was hospitalized the same day. After temperature check and initial assessment, she was transferred to the hospital for further investigations and treatment. View the full article

CHP provides latest information on cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan ********************************************************** The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 13) received notification from the National Health Commission (NHC) on the latest information on the cluster of pneumonia cases detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province. The public is again urged to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel. According to the information from the NHC, as of yesterday (January 12), 41 patients had been diagnosed as having infection of the novel coronavirus. No new case was reported and one additional case was discharged yesterday. So far, a total of seven patients have been discharged, six patients are in serious condition and one died, while the remaining patients are in stable condition. A total of 763 close contacts have been identified. All have been put under medical surveillance with 76 of them having completed the surveillance, and no related cases have been detected so far. A dedicated webpage (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/102465.html) has been set up by the CHP to provide relevant information and health advice. To address the public's concern, the CHP will announce the details of cases fulfilling the reporting criteria (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/enhanced_sur_pneumonia_wuhan_eng.pdf) on the above webpage daily to enhance transparency. To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to: • Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes; after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs; or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing; • Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel or hand dryer. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative; • Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and • When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly. The public should take heed of the health advice below when travelling outside Hong Kong: • avoid touching animals (including game), poultry/birds or their droppings; • avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms; • avoid making close contact with patients, especially those with symptoms of acute respiratory infections; • do not consume game meat and do not patronise food premises where game meat is served; • adhere to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding consuming raw or undercooked animal products, including milk, eggs and meat, or foods which may be contaminated by animal secretions, excretions (such as urine) or contaminated products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled; • if feeling unwell when outside Hong Kong, especially if having a fever or cough, wear a surgical mask, inform the hotel staff or tour escort and seek medical advice at once; and • after returning to Hong Kong, consult a doctor promptly if having a fever or other symptoms, inform the doctor of recent travel history and wear a surgical mask to help prevent spread of the disease. Ends/Monday, January 13, 2020 Issued at HKT 18:41 https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202001/13/P2020011300628.htm

Wuhan Municipal Health and Health Committee's report on pneumonia of new coronavirus infection Issuing authority: Wuhan City health committee | Published: 2020-01-13 19:00:19 | Hits: 1519 | Font Size: Da Zhong Small At 04:00 on January 12, 2020, there were no new cases of pneumonia infected with new coronavirus in our city, one case was cured and discharged, and no new deaths were reported. As of now, our city has reported 41 cases of pneumonitis infected with new coronavirus, 7 cases have been cured and discharged, 6 cases are being treated in severe cases, and 1 case has died. A total of 763 close contacts have been tracked, 76 medical observations have been lifted, and 687 are still receiving medical observations. Among the close contacts, no related cases were found. January 13, 2020 http://wjw.wuhan.gov.cn/front/web/showDetail/2020011309038

WHO statement on novel coronavirus in Thailand 13 January 2020 News release 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. https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/13-01-2020-who-statement-on-novel-coronavirus-in-thailand

SARG reps to visit Wuhan January 11, 2020 Under Secretary for Food & Health Dr Chui Tak-yi will visit Wuhan on January 13 to examine the situation concerning the cluster of pneumonia cases, the Food & Health Bureau announced today. The bureau said with the arrangement of the National Health Commission, Dr Chui will go to Wuhan, together with representatives from the Department of Health and Hospital Authority, to learn about the prevention and control measures and clinical management there. They will return to Hong Kong on January 14. https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2020/01/20200111/20200111_194321_136.html?type=ticker

CHP provides further information on cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan *********************************************************** The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 12) received further notification from the National Health Commission (NHC) on the latest information of the cluster of pneumonia cases detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province. The public is again urged to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel. According to the information from the NHC, as at yesterday (January 11), 41 patients have been diagnosed to have infection of the novel coronavirus and no new case was reported on January 11. Among them, six patients have been discharged, seven patients are in serious condition and one died, while the remaining patients are in stable condition. A total of 763 close contacts have been identified. All have been put under medical surveillance with 46 of them having completed the surveillance, and no related cases have been detected so far. A dedicated webpage (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/102465.html) has been set up by the CHP to provide relevant information and health advice. To address the public's concern, the CHP will announce the details of cases fulfilling the reporting criteria (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/enhanced_sur_pneumonia_wuhan_eng.pdf) on the above webpage daily to enhance transparency. To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to: • Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes; after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs; or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretion after coughing or sneezing; • Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel or hand dryer. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative; • Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and • When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly. The public should take heed of the health advice below when travelling outside Hong Kong: • avoid touching animals (including game), poultry/birds or their droppings; • avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms; • avoid making close contact with patients, especially those with symptoms of acute respiratory infections; • do not consume game meat and do not patronise food premises where game meat is served; • adhere to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding consuming raw or undercooked animal products, including milk, eggs and meat, or foods which may be contaminated by animal secretions, excretions (such as urine) or contaminated products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled; • if feeling unwell when outside Hong Kong, especially if having a fever or cough, wear a surgical mask, inform the hotel staff or tour escort and seek medical advice at once; and • after returning to Hong Kong, consult a doctor promptly if having a fever or other symptoms, inform the doctor of recent travel history and wear a surgical mask to help prevent spread of the disease. Ends/Sunday, January 12, 2020 Issued at HKT 20:03 https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202001/12/P2020011200710.htm

CHP provides update on latest progress on cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan **************************************************************** The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 12) received notification from the National Health Commission (NHC) that it has shared with the World Health Organization (WHO) the genetic sequences of the novel coronavirus associated with the cluster of pneumonia cases detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province. The relevant institutions have also uploaded the genetic sequences onto the online Genbank (GISAID). GISAID is cross checking the information and will publish it upon completion. The CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB), as one of the users of this Genbank, will obtain the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus. While the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch is conducting molecular testing for a number of coronaviruses, it will develop specific tests based on the information of the new sequence. The CHP will continue to maintain close liaison with the NHC as well as the WHO and closely monitor the latest development of cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan. Ends/Sunday, January 12, 2020 Issued at HKT 15:33 https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202001/12/P2020011200495.htm

Wuhan Municipal Health and Health Committee's report on pneumonia of new coronavirus infection Issuing authority: Wuhan City health committee | Published: 2020-01-12 20:10:13 | Hits: 2845 | Font Size: Da Zhong Small At 04:00 on January 11, 2020, there were no new cases of pneumonia infected with new coronavirus in our city, 4 cases were cured and discharged, and no new deaths were reported. Up to now, the city has reported a total of 41 cases of pneumonia caused by new coronavirus infection , 6 cases have been cured and discharged, 7 cases are being treated in severe cases, and 1 case has died . A total of 763 close contacts have been tracked , 46 medical observations have been lifted, and 717 people are still receiving medical observations. Among the close contacts, no related cases were found. January 12, 2020 http://wjw.wuhan.gov.cn/front/web/showDetail/2020011209037

Wuhan pneumonia: Hong Kong set to develop new test for mystery virus after obtaining genetic sequence from mainland China A team of experts will also fly over to the mainland city to be briefed on the situation and learn about control measures News comes after China confirms first death from novel coronavirus strain Ng Kang-chung Published: 8:35pm, 12 Jan, 2020 TOP PICKS News Notorious gangster Kwai Ping-hung to be released from jail this week 12 Jan 2020 This Week in Asia Wuhan coronavirus: Asia battens down for Lunar New Year rush 10 Jan 2020 News Unwelcome mat: Hong Kong’s loss if mainland Chinese leave 8 Jan 2020 News Human Rights Watch chief ‘refused entry’ to Hong Kong at airport 13 Jan 2020 News Thousands join rally to demand universal suffrage in upcoming poll 12 Jan 2020 News Poor in Hong Kong: the struggle to survive in one of the world’s richest cities 11 Jan 2020 News Hong Kong protests loom large in Taiwan polls. But who benefits? 11 Jan 2020 News Cut quota of mainlanders settling in Hong Kong to ease tensions, tycoon urges 12 Jan 2020 News What happens to the economy when firms are split ‘blue’ vs ‘yellow’? 13 Jan 2020 News Hong Kong protesters in Taiwan celebrate election result, stage demonstration 12 Jan 2020 95 A man in a mask walks outside the West Kowloon terminus of the high-speed rail in Hong Kong, with trains to the mainland city of Wuhan, where a new form of pneumonia has gripped the population. Photo: K.Y. Cheng Hong Kong is set to race against time to develop diagnostic tests for the mystery strain of pneumonia that has claimed its first fatality on the mainland, after the city obtains the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus from Chinese authorities. A team of Hong Kong experts, meanwhile, will on Monday fly to Wuhan – ground zero of the outbreak – in Hubei province to meet health officials there and get first-hand information on the disease and control measures implemented. The latest development came as Hong Kong’s public hospitals reported seven more suspected cases. The seven comprised two boys aged eight and 13, a 10-year-old girl, a man and three women, aged 38 to 67. All had been to the mainland city in the past two weeks and developed fever, respiratory infection or pneumonia symptoms. None of them had visited wet markets there. The patients were sent to six hospitals – Queen Elizabeth, United Christian, Queen Mary, Eastern, Tuen Mun, and Prince of Wales. The wholesale seafood market in Wuhan where the virus is thought to have spread. Photo: Simon Song The Centre for Health Protection in Hong Kong confirmed on Sunday that it had received notification from China’s National Health Commission that it had shared with the World Health Organisation the genetic sequence of the new coronavirus. SUBSCRIBE HONG KONG NEWS Get updates direct to your inbox SUBMIT By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy “The relevant institutions have also uploaded the genetic sequence onto the online GenBank (GISAID). GISAID is cross-checking the information and will publish it upon completion,” the centre said in a statement. An image of the virus on the GISAID website after Chinese authorities provided information on its genetic sequence. Photo: GISAID “The [centre’s] Public Health Laboratory Services Branch … as one of the users of this GenBank, will obtain the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus. While [the branch] is conducting molecular testing for a number of coronaviruses, it will develop specific tests based on the information of the new sequence,” the centre added. Wuhan pneumonia ‘bears close similarity to Sars’, analysis finds 11 Jan 2020 Genome sequencing of viruses is a useful tool for better understanding of the nature of diseases caused and for surveillance of the strain. The technology allows the development of specific diagnostic kits that can quickly identify illnesses and relevant care for patients, ensuring better containment of an outbreak. The centre pledged to maintain close liaison with the National Health Commission and WHO and closely monitor the latest development of cases in Wuhan. A group of Hong Kong experts, led by undersecretary for food and health Dr Chui Tak-yi, will leave for Wuhan on Monday. During their two-day visit, the team is expected to be briefed on the latest situation and control measures, as well as on clinical management. Also part of the group is Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable disease branch of the Centre for Health Protection, and Dr Raymond Lai Wai-man, chief infection control officer at the Hospital Authority. Hong Kong has reported 67 suspected cases, of which 51 have been cleared and discharged. Photo: Winson Wong Since December 31, the authority has reported 67 suspected cases with no confirmed infection of the Wuhan strain thus far. Among these, 51 have been discharged and those still in hospitals are in stable condition. Chinese scientists investigating the outbreak said last week they believed the pathogen was a previously unknown type of coronavirus, linked to the family under which the acute respiratory syndrome, or Sars, is also classified. The primary source for the Wuhan virus was believed to be bats, as with Sars, which passed it to game animals consumed by humans. On Saturday a 61-year-old man became the first patient to die from the new strain, among the 41 cases diagnosed in the mainland city, according to health authorities there. This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: HK aims to develop new test for deadly Wuhan virus https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3045750/wuhan-pneumonia-hong-kong-set-develop-new-test

"Father of Coronavirus" Lai Mingxuan: Wuhan pneumonia may still be transmitted from person to person due to viral gene mutation Source / Health Magazine By Qiu Shuyi 　/ pixabay The unknown pathogen of Wuhan unknown pneumonia was initially identified as a new type of coronavirus, and it is presumed that it was transmitted from animals to humans. Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and "Father of Coronavirus" Lai Mingxuan said that coronaviruses are prone to genetic mutations, and epidemic prevention agencies and the general public must not be taken lightly. The CDC received a notification from China that Wuhan pneumonia pathogen was initially determined to be a new coronavirus transmitted from animals to humans, and the human-to-human transmission capacity is currently weak. Dr. Lai Mingkun, a top international researcher on coronaviruses, said that SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in 2003 and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection) in 2012 were both coronaviruses that were transmitted from animals to humans and the virus was genetically mutated to become Respiratory diseases with high infectiousness and high mortality rate, therefore, the new coronavirus of Wuhan pneumonia should be waited for in epidemic prevention. Beware of mutations of new viruses that directly infect humans Lai Minghuan said that coronavirus is a type of RNA virus, and "genes are susceptible to mutation" is a feature of RNA viruses. Many animals in nature carry coronaviruses, especially bats. Bats are the largest hosts of coronaviruses. Coronaviruses on bats do not directly infect humans, but mutations in the virus genes become new viruses that infect other animals and may be transmitted to humans. For example, SARS in 2003 infected the civet with a bat coronavirus mutation and was finally passed on to humans. Another example is the Middle Eastern coronavirus that appeared in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and is also a bat coronavirus mutation Camels were transmitted to tourists. The resulting MERS later caused a pandemic in South Korea, with a mortality rate of 30%, which is higher than SARS. (Documentation: Qiu Shuyi, Cartography: Zheng Jialing) Lai Mingchen said that both SARS and MERS are new coronaviruses with mutations in bat coronavirus. It is unclear which animal the new coronavirus from Wuhan pneumonia came from this time, and he speculated that it is also likely that the coronavirus mutation in bats infected them. Wild animals are transmitted to humans. Eliminate virus transmission channels without touching wildlife He said that the coronavirus in animals, after genetic mutations are transmitted to humans, is likely to continue to mutate in humans and become human-to-human coronaviruses. At present, there is no obvious evidence of human-to-human transmission in Wuhan pneumonia, but the absence of evidence does not mean that it will not If it happens, the possibility of gene mutation cannot be completely ruled out. Now people who have been to Wuhan and have been exposed to wild animals become carriers without knowing it. Once the virus mutates into a virus that directly infects humans, a large-scale epidemic may break out. He said that the best prevention strategy is of course to block at the stage of "animals transmit the virus to humans" to avoid the possibility of new viruses becoming SARS or the Middle East coronavirus. He said that the coronavirus transmission channels include animal droplets, urine and feces. He urged the public to avoid going to traditional markets to contact live wild animals, especially those who went to Wuhan in mainland China to be cautious. If they have fever symptoms after returning to Taiwan, they should be isolated and observed , Do a good job of self-health management. Father of Coronavirus Contributes to SARS Control in Taiwan Lai Mingxuan is one of the earliest scholars involved in coronavirus research in the world. The academic community respected him as "the father of coronavirus". In 2003, he returned to Taiwan from the United States as the vice president of the Central Academy of Sciences at the invitation of Li Yuanzhe, the dean of the Chinese Academy of Research. Because of the SARS outbreak in Taiwan, he returned to Taiwan in May, and was involved in the prevention and treatment of the SARS epidemic. His long-term research on the coronavirus has allowed Taiwan to quickly grasp the characteristics of the SARS virus and develop effective treatment and prevention strategies. Taiwan will control the SARS epidemic within one year and help Taiwan escape from the SARS epidemic. https://health.ettoday.net/news/1623700

On 11 and 12 January 2020, WHO received further detailed information from the National Health Commission about the outbreak. WHO is reassured of the quality of the ongoing investigations and the response measures implemented in Wuhan, and the commitment to share information regularly. View the full article

HEALTH NEWS JANUARY 10, 2020 / 7:12 PM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO Man infected with mysterious virus in China dies after outbreak Brenda Goh 3 MIN READ SHANGHAI (Reuters) - A 61-year-old man has died from pneumonia in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in an outbreak of a yet to be identified virus while seven others are in critical condition, the Wuhan health authorities said on Saturday. In total, 41 people have been diagnosed with the pathogen, which preliminary lab tests cited by Chinese state media earlier this week pointed to a new type of coronavirus, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said in a statement on its website. Two of them have been discharged from hospital and the rest are in stable condition, while 739 people deemed to have been in close contact with the patients have been cleared, it said. The man, the first victim of the outbreak that began in December, was a regular buyer at the seafood market, who had been previously diagnosed with abdominal tumors and chronic liver disease, the health authority said. Treatments did not improve his symptoms after he was admitted to hospital and he died on the evening of Jan. 9 when his heart failed. The commission added that no new cases had been detected since Jan. 3. The Wuhan health authority also said that the patients were mainly vendors and purchasers at a seafood market in the city, and that to date no medical staff had been infected, nor had clear evidence of human-to-human transmission been found. The World Health Organization said on Thursday that a newly emerging member of the family of viruses that caused the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreaks, could be the cause of the present outbreak. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause infections ranging from the common cold to SARS. Some of the virus types cause less serious disease, while some like the one that causes MERS, are far more severe. The outbreak comes ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays in late January, when many of China’s 1.4 billion people will be traveling to their home towns or abroad. The Chinese government expects passengers to make 440 million trips via rail and another 79 million trips via airplanes, officials told a news briefing on Thursday. The Wuhan health authority in its statement also urged the public to take more precautions against infectious diseases, and said it was pushing ahead with tests to diagnose the pathogen and as of Friday had completed nucleic acid tests. Hong Kong’s Department of Health said in a separate statement on Saturday that it strengthened checks and cleaning measures at all border check points, including the port, airport and the city’s high-speed rail station which receives passengers from Wuhan city. In 2003, Chinese officials covered up a SARS outbreak for weeks before a growing death toll and rumors forced the government to reveal the epidemic. The disease spread rapidly to other cities and countries. More than 8,000 people were infected and 775 died. Reporting by Brenda Goh; Additional reporting by Sophie Yu in Beijing and Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Sandra Maler and Jacqueline Wong https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-pneumonia/man-infected-with-mysterious-virus-in-china-dies-after-outbreak-idUSKBN1ZA00D

Virus in China Is Part of a Growing Threat New type of so-called coronavirus is possible cause of the outbreak in the city of Wuhan Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that infect mostly pigs, cats and other animals. PHOTO: CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL By Betsy McKay Updated Jan. 10, 2020 9:26 pm ET SAVE PRINT TEXT The virus implicated in a mysterious outbreak of pneumonia in central China is in a class of pathogens that are a growing player in global infectious disease epidemics. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Chinese scientists identified a new type of so-called coronavirus as a possible cause of the outbreak in the city of Wuhan, where 59 people have been sickened, with seven in critical condition. Chinese health authorities said Saturday that a 61-year-old man has died. There were no infections found among people in close contact with the infected patients, including medical workers, according to the Wuhan health commission. No new cases have been reported since Jan. 3. Chinese authorities say they have found coronavirus in patients, but haven’t confirmed it as the underlying cause of the illnesses. But virologists and epidemic experts say it is likely. “None of us were surprised,” said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. “I thought this had a high possibility of being a coronavirus.” Epidemic Potential Coronaviruses are jumping increasingly from animals to humans, creating new threats NL63 (1100s) SARS (2003) 229E (1800s) MERS (2012) OC43 (1800s) Wuhan CoV (2020) HKU1 (unknown) Source: Timothy Sheahan, University of North Carolina That is because Wuhan has all the ingredients for a coronavirus outbreak, Dr. Osterholm and other experts say: a big, densely populated city with live animal markets where people and possibly infected pigs, bats or other mammals mingle. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that infect mostly pigs, cats and other animals. They can also jump from animals to humans, and from one human to another, though Chinese health officials say they haven’t found human-to-human transmission with the Wuhan strain. Outbreaks in recent years have killed thousands of pigs in China. Seven strains are known to infect humans, including the virus in Wuhan, causing illnesses in the respiratory tract. Four of those strains cause common colds. Two others, by contrast, rank among the deadliest of human infections: severe acute respiratory syndrome, known as SARS, and Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS. Named for crown-like spikes on their surfaces, coronaviruses mutate rapidly, essentially making mistakes easily as they copy their genome to produce offspring. RELATED New Virus Discovered by Chinese Scientists Investigating Pneumonia Outbreak Health Officials Work to Solve China’s Mystery Virus Outbreak Predicting the Next Pandemic China’s Leaders Are Penned In as Citizens Stomach High Pork Prices “They can recombine with incredibly high efficiency,” said Ralph Baric, a coronavirus expert and professor of epidemiology at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina. Two or three coronaviruses in the same cell can mix and produce new offspring viruses quickly, he said. The reservoir, or natural home, of the coronavirus is believed to be in bats. But the virus jumps easily from one host to another, evolving as it moves. Investigators searching for the source of the SARS virus first found it in civet cats, an animal often eaten in the region of southern China where humans first were infected. Later, they traced it to bats found at the same markets where the civet cats were sold. New, more severe human coronaviruses are emerging at an accelerating pace. Since 2002, three new types of coronavirus have emerged: SARS, MERS, and now this new one in Wuhan. A health surveillance officer monitored passengers arriving at the Hong Kong International airport on Jan. 4. PHOTO: ANDY WONG/ASSOCIATED PRESS SARS changed the game for virologists as the first coronavirus that was deadly to humans. Before that, it was known as a virus causing common colds. MERS is even deadlier. It also infects people on a continuing basis, unlike SARS, which disappeared after causing one epidemic that shook up global public health. The new Wuhan virus appears milder. While some people are severely ill, no deaths have been reported. More new human coronaviruses are likely to emerge, said Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, a U.S. organization that identifies and researches emerging viruses around the world, including tracing SARS and MERS to bats. “Our ecology is changing,” he said. “We’re exposed more to animal pathogens.” Coronaviruses are “well poised to take advantage of a more densely populated planet with integrated farm methods that bring large numbers of animals together to feed populations,” said Dr. Baric. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS How has the outbreak in China affected your travel plans? Join the conversation below. Populations are aging, too, and coronavirus causes more severe illnesses in people over age 65. Researchers have traced about 100 or more SARS-related coronaviruses circulating in bats in China, Dr. Daszak said. Some can infect humans, lab experiments show, he said. The Wuhan strain is similar to bat coronaviruses that led to SARS, scientists say. One question is whether the Wuhan strain will recede, like SARS, or continue to cause outbreaks, like MERS, Dr. Osterholm said. Newsletter Sign-up The Wuhan outbreak demonstrates how urgent the need is for drugs to treat emerging coronaviruses, said Timothy Sheahan, an assistant professor of epidemiology at UNC’s Gillings School of Global Public Health. In a paper published Friday in Nature Communications, he and colleagues showed that an antiviral drug by Gilead Sciences Inc., remdesivir, lessened lung disease from MERS in mice. He hopes to study the effects of the drug on the new Wuhan strain. The same drug has been given to people with Ebola, and reduced the severity of their disease, though not as much as two other therapies. “We have a new coronavirus emerging every 10 years,” Dr. Sheahan said. “As we come into contact with animals that we didn’t come into contact with before, I think we’re going to see this more and more often.” Write to Betsy McKay at [email protected] https://www.wsj.com/articles/virus-in-china-is-part-of-a-growing-threat-11578692839?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=1&ns=prod/accounts-wsj

China Reports First Death From New Coronavirus A new virus is implicated in a pneumonia outbreak in Central China; Seven are in critical condition Chinese scientists discovered a new strain of coronavirus this week. Here, a hospital in Wuhan. PHOTO: STEPHANIE YANG/THE WALL STREET JOURNAL Jan. 10, 2020 9:24 pm ET PRINT TEXT A new virus implicated in a pneumonia outbreak in central China has killed a 61-year-old man there, Chinese health authorities said Saturday. Chinese scientists investigating the outbreak discovered a new strain of coronavirus this week, and preliminary investigations found that 41 people in the Chinese city of Wuhan had been infected with it, the Wuhan health commission said. There were no infections found among people in close contact with the infected patients, including medical workers, according to the commission. No new cases have been reported since Jan. 3. Authorities have quarantined 59 people in the viral-pneumonia outbreak. Seven are in critical condition and eight have been released, the health commission said. Two of those eight are confirmed to have been infected with the new coronavirus, the commission said. https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-says-person-infected-with-new-coronavirus-has-died-11578709453

CHP provides latest information on cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan ********************************************************** The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 11) received notification from the National Health Commission (NHC) on the latest information of the cluster of pneumonia cases detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province. The public is again urged to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel. After the preliminary determination that the pathogen of "viral pneumonia with unknown cause" is a novel coronavirus, the National and Provincial Expert Groups have immediately revised and improved the protocols on diagnosis, treatment and surveillance of viral pneumonia with unknown cause. The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission has arranged the samples of existing patients to be tested for nucleic acid of the pathogen, and the Expert Groups have made overall assessments on the patients hospitalised for observation and treatment, taking into considering of information on clinical picture, epidemiological information and laboratory testing results, etc. As at yesterday (January 10), 41 patients have been diagnosed to have infection of the novel coronavirus. Among them, two patients have been discharged, seven patients are in serious condition and one died, while the remaining patients are in stable condition. A total of 739 close contacts have been identified and 419 of them are healthcare workers. All have been put under medical surveillance, and no related cases have been detected so far. There have been no new cases since January 3. For the time being, the Mainland's investigation has neither identified any infection of healthcare workers nor definite evidence of human-to-human transmission. According to information from the NHC, investigation, epidemiological investigations revealed that the patients are mainly business operators at a market called "Hua Nan Seafood Wholesale Market" in Wuhan, which has been closed since January 1. The Port Health Division (PHD) under the CHP has strengthened port health measures and enhanced temperature screening of travellers with increased frequency of random checking at all boundary control points. Additional thermal imaging system has been put in place at the Hong Kong International Airport dedicated for temperature screening of travellers from flights arriving Hong Kong from Wuhan. Moreover, additional manpower has been assigned to enhance temperature screening of inbound travelers when the daily two high speed trains with stop at Wuhan arrive at Hong Kong to ensure that body temperature of all passengers from these two trains are checked. Fever patients with acute respiratory symptoms who had visited Wuhan within 14 days prior to the onset of the illness will be immediately referred to public hospitals for isolation, treatment and follow-up. The PHD has advised the MTR Corporation Limited, the Airport Authority Hong Kong, and relevant airlines to enhance cleaning and disinfection measures of the high speed trains and planes from Wuhan as well as the cleaning of West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and Airport Terminal Building. Moreover, dissemination of health messages through broadcast to travellers at e.g. flight cabin/West Kowloon Station, and distribution of leaflets, promulgating travel health news on website and posters display, has been enhanced. The PHD will continue to maintain close liaison with stakeholders of all boundary control points to timely update them about the latest situation and relevant measures. A dedicated webpage (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/102465.html) has been set up to provide relevant information and health advice. To address the public's concern, the CHP will announce the details of cases fulfilling the reporting criteria (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/enhanced_sur_pneumonia_wuhan_eng.pdf) on the above webpage daily to enhance transparency. To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to: • Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes; after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs; or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretion after coughing or sneezing; • Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel or hand dryer. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative; • Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and • When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly. The public should take heed of the health advice below when travelling outside Hong Kong: • avoid touching animals (including game), poultry/birds or their droppings; • avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms; • avoid making close contact with patients, especially those with symptoms of acute respiratory infections; • do not consume game meat and do not patronise food premises where game meat is served; • adhere to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding consuming raw or undercooked animal products, including milk, eggs and meat, or foods which may be contaminated by animal secretions, excretions (such as urine) or contaminated products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled; • if feeling unwell when outside Hong Kong, especially if having a fever or cough, wear a surgical mask, inform the hotel staff or tour escort and seek medical advice at once; and • after returning to Hong Kong, consult a doctor promptly if having a fever or other symptoms, inform the doctor of recent travel history and wear a surgical mask to help prevent spread of the disease. Ends/Saturday, January 11, 2020 Issued at HKT 9:35 https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202001/11/P2020011100233.htm

Experts Cast Doubts on Chinese Official Claims Around 'New' Wuhan Coronavirus 2020-01-09 Print Share Comment Email Authorities impose quarantine measures to prevent the spread of a mystery virus believed to have originated in the Huanan Seafood Market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, Jan. 9, 2020. Reuters China says the mystery virus that has sickened dozens of people in the central city of Wuhan is a new coronavirus in the same family as SARS, as experts said they don't believe official claims of no human-to-human transmission. State news agency Xinhua quoted Xu Jianguo, the lead scientist on the team researching the virus, as saying that authorities had "preliminarily determined" that at least 15 patients in Wuhan had contracted the same virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the discovery. "Further investigations are also required to determine the source, modes of transmission, extent of infection and countermeasures implemented," the WHO's China representative Gauden Galea said in a statement. At least 59 people in Wuhan have been taken ill -- seven of them seriously -- with what was initially feared to be a resurgence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. SARS killed 349 people in mainland China and 299 in Hong Kong over the winter of 2002-2003. Chinese health authorities had said the virus -- which first struck in Wuhan among employees of a now-shuttered seafood market -- wasn't SARS, and no human-to-human transmission has yet been reported. But health experts have cast doubt on the claims about human-to-human transmission. Ho Pak-leung, head of the University of Hong Kong's Centre for Infection, has warned that it is highly possible that the illness is spreading from human to human, given the sheer number of cases that have mushroomed in a short period of time. Hong Kong authorities appear to be taking the possibility seriously, with health screening of all passengers coming into the city from mainland China already in place. Infrared thermal screening Incoming passengers from Wuhan are being given infrared thermal screening for signs of a raised temperature, while enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures are in place on Hong Kong's railway network and at the airport, secretary for food and health Sophia Chan told lawmakers on Wednesday. Any inbound travelers with tell-tale symptoms who have been to Wuhan are being isolated and treated in government hospitals, Chan said. Ren Ruihong, former head of the medical assistance department at the Chinese Red Cross, said she too has her doubts about the reported "absence" of human-to-human transmission in Wuhan. "It's a new type of mutant coronavirus," Ren said. "They haven't made public the genetic sequence, because it is highly contagious. From what I can tell, the patients caught it from other people. I have thought that all along." She said the lack of fatalities didn't indicate that the virus was less deadly than SARS, just that antiviral medications have improved in the past 10 years or so. Ren said she also regarded the relatively high number of infections in Hong Kong with suspicion, given that there had been no reports of cases anywhere in between the two cities, in the southern province of Guangdong, for example. "Genetic engineering technology has gotten to such a point now, and Wuhan is home to a viral research center that is under the aegis of the China Academy of Sciences, which is the highest level of research facility in China," she said. Repeated calls to various numbers listed for the Wuhan Institute of Virology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences rang unanswered. However, an employee who identified herself as a senior engineer said she knew nothing about the virus. "Sorry, I ... I don't know about this," the employee said. Lunar New Year travel looms As of noon on Thursday local time, 10 patients -- five of whom are under seven years old -- had been admitted to hospital in Hong Kong with flu-like symptoms or pneumonia who had been to Wuhan during the past two weeks, Hong Kong's Hospital Authority said in a statement. "The patients concerned had not visited [fresh food] markets in Wuhan before the onset of symptoms," the statement said. WHO representative Galea said "people with symptoms of pneumonia and reported travel history to Wuhan have been identified at international airports," but no travel advisories have been issued for China as hundreds of millions get ready to travel across the country to spend Lunar New Year with their families on Jan. 25. People living in Wuhan have said there is scant information in the media about the outbreak, in a country where media outlets are strictly controlled by the ruling Chinese Communist Party. An employee who answered the phone at Wuhan's Jinyintan Hospital declined to comment when contacted by RFA on Thursday. "We don't give interviews here," the employee said. "The only official channel for this matter is the Wuhan municipal health commission, so ... you can contact them directly to find out more." However, calls to the Wuhan municipal health commission rang unanswered during office hours on Thursday. Residents in the neighborhood around the Huanan Seafood Market, where the outbreak was traced to, said they knew very little about it. "It's about 500 meters from here," one resident said. "We don't know anything about it, and I haven't been paying attention to it ... I don't think I went there recently." SARS -- described as atypical pneumonia caused by a coronavirus -- infected more than 8,000 people around the world, and is believed to have originated in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong. The WHO declared China free of the SARS virus in May 2004, although it criticized the Chinese government's initial attempt to cover up the crisis. Reported by Wong Siu-san and Sing Man for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Qiao Long for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/wuhan-outbreak-01092020133656.html

From 1 January through 19 December 2019, a total of 124 laboratory confirmed cases of measles, including two deaths, were reported in the Gaza Strip (case fatality ratio=1.6%). Of the confirmed cases, forty-nine cases (40%) were hospitalized, 12 were among health care workers, and seventy-five (60%) were males. Gaza Strip has an estimated population of 1.99 million (Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics-2019). In addition, of the confirmed cases, 57 cases (46%) were un-vaccinated, of which 28 (23%) were among infants between 6 months to one year old, and 29 (23%) among age groups higher than 30 years old. Between 2009 and 2018, the median administrative immunization coverage for the second dose of measles-containing-vaccine (MCV2) was 97%. View the full article

Yuan Guoyong urges Wuhan pneumonia to be passed on from person to person, not to let the first case pass Hong Kong time January 09 (Thu) 11:15 Yuan Guoyong was worried that the first case would enter the hospital and eventually cause a serious epidemic. The outbreak of unexplained viral pneumonia in Wuhan City, Hubei has attracted attention from all walks of life. The internal media today (9th) announced the results of expert tests, confirming that the pneumonia is a new type of coronavirus. Yuan Guoyong, Chair Professor of the Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, said that this discovery is close to the previous predictions of Hong Kong experts, because all the coronaviruses found in the past can be transmitted from person to person. The number of cases is not large, and it may not be possible to judge how efficient the virus is from person to person. However, Yuan believes that the new virus should be treated as a person-to-person transmission, and hospital infection control measures should be taken well. The public must also be alert to personal hygiene. Yuan pointed out that at present the most important thing is to maintain the level of epidemic prevention and prevent the introduction of the first case, saying that the overcrowding of medical wards in Hong Kong public hospitals is serious. If the first case enters the hospital without isolation, it will cause a serious epidemic, The virus will be genetically altered during human-to-human cross-infection, increasing the efficiency of transmission. In addition, he also pointed out that Wuhan South China Seafood City, which had the first case, will be closed for two weeks next weekend, which is beyond the virus incubation period. If there are no new cases, then the epidemic can be assumed to be over. https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/news/20200109/bkn-20200109111527739-0109_00822_001.html?eventsection=hk_news&eventid=402883476ed4097c016f5a39f2c63fde

He Bailiang urges Mainland to publish Wuhan pneumonia virus gene map rapid development test Hong Kong time January 09 (Thu) 11:10 Update10:30 Established He Bailiang urged the Mainland to publish the genetic map of Wuhan pneumonia as soon as possible. 1/3 Chinese media released expert test results confirming that Wuhan pneumonia is a new type of coronavirus. He Bailiang, director of HKU Infection and Infectious Diseases Center, said on the 9th that live wild game was sold in Wuhan Wet Market, which belongs to the source, and he called on the Mainland to publish a virus gene map To allow Hong Kong to develop a rapid test virus, and also to point out what animals have been sold in the South China Seafood Market is the focus. They are worried that the supply chain will be sold elsewhere. You must track down as soon as possible to prevent the virus from spreading. He also pointed out that there are many types of coronaviruses. The natural host is bats. SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome are members of the coronavirus family. In addition to bats, other different animals can still carry different types of coronaviruses. If animals with coronaviruses are invaded by humans, such as live game sales, there may be genetic mutations when different types of animals are trapped together. The virus was originally only transmitted by animals, but can also be changed from person to person. He reminded the public to improve personal hygiene. The transmission of new coronavirus mainly depends on droplets. In the past, SARS and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome have known that urine and feces can carry the coronavirus. Therefore, the public should crowd more people. Wear a mask and wash your hands frequently, and use disinfectant before cleaning. https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/news/20200109/bkn-20200109103026076-0109_00822_001_cn.html