1st US case of new coronavirus confirmed: Here are the risks, and how to protect yourself
A virus that has raised concerns worldwide since it broke out in China last month has now been confirmed in the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the first case of new coronavirus in the United States in a previously healthy adult male from Washington.
He was healthy when he flew home from China on Jan. 15, and the CDC is now investigating his flight.
International public health officials, including CDC, are closely monitoring the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus, called “2019-nCoV,” as the number of cases is climbing.
The World Health Organization is convening an emergency meeting on Wednesday to determine if this outbreak is a public health emergency and if it is, what actions should be taken.
“As with all emerging viruses and illnesses, the information is changing rapidly” said Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, public health officer for Stanislaus County.
Vaishampayan said at this time there are no specific threats in Stanislaus County, and public health is prepared to respond if concerns arise.
Chinese scientists report that as of Tuesday, 300 people have been infected and six people have died.
In addition to the U.S., cases have been identified in other provinces in China, Thailand, South Korea and Japan, and human-to-human transmission has been documented, fueling fears of possible global spread.
On Jan. 17, screening procedures for travelers arriving from Wuhan were put into place at international airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. With the identification of the U.S. case, the CDC may increase the number of U.S. airports that implement screening.
Vaishampayan said that Chinese officials are screening travelers for fevers and respiratory symptoms before they depart the airport in Wuhan.
With the frequency of international travel, global health officials are anticipating more cases, as was seen with the deadly outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) caused by other human coronaviruses.
Also, because of the upcoming Lunar New Year, travel in China and throughout Asia is expected to be high. Last year, about 60,000 visitors from Wuhan came to the U.S.
What are coronaviruses?
Coronaviruses got their name because of their crown-like, spiky exterior. The viruses in this family cause respiratory infections in animals and humans. Generally, human coronaviruses cause the “common cold” with mild to moderate symptoms of congestion and cough.
However, these pathogens can cause severe respiratory illnesses with high fevers and pneumonia and can be lethal, as seen with SARS and MERS outbreaks.
Coronaviruses in animals can mutate and adapt to infect humans. The initial cases in Wuhan were associated with a large seafood and animal market, suggesting a possible animal origin with spread to humans. In addition to seafood, the market sells live chickens, bats, cats, marmots, and other wild animals. The market was closed on Jan. 1 for disinfecting.
Subsequent cases have been identified in people with no contact with that market, consistent with human-to-human transmission.
The investigations of the cause and spread of the outbreak are ongoing, according to Chinese officials, CDC and the World Health Organization.
WHO does not recommend restrictions on travel or trade.
CDC Recommendations
The CDC has issued a Health Alert Notice, as part of coordinated response of domestic and international public health agencies. This includes providing prompt updates to local public health agencies, so they can implement preparedness measures for their communities.
The alert notice also includes guidelines for caring for patients suspected of having infection with the novel virus, as well as appropriate protection for health care workers. The recommendations are based upon the experience gained handling the SARS and MERS outbreaks.
The CDC also issued updated recommendations for travelers to affected areas, which includes avoiding contact with ill people, animals (alive or dead) and animal markets.
Vaishampayan encourages older individuals and those with underlying illness to check with their provider before traveling, as those groups seem to be more at risk among the cases seen so far.
Travelers are also encouraged to monitor closely updates from public health officials.
No vaccine or specific treatment for 2019-nCoV infection is available.
How to help protect yourself
Public health general guidelines to help minimize exposure to coronaviruses, influenza and other winter viruses:
Avoid contact with people with cold or flu-like symptoms
Practice frequent hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based cleanser
People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or into a flexed elbow, and wash hands)
Keep all immunizations up to date
Public health asked people to self-monitor for illness, especially anyone who has traveled to China.
“People should self-identify as possibly having the infection if they plan to visit their doctor,” said Vaishampayan, “This will limit exposures to others.”
For more information, visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html, or call 1-800-232-4636 / TTY: 888-232-6348
This story was produced with financial support from The Stanislaus County Office of Education and the Stanislaus Community Foundation, along with the GroundTruth Project’s Report for America initiative. The Modesto Bee maintains full editorial control of this work.
