[en-GB]2019-nCoV Novel Coronavirus

2019-nCoV Novel Coronavirus

On December 31, 2019, World Health Organization was alerted to several cases of pneumonia in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. The virus did not match any other known virus. This raised concern because when a virus is new, it is not known how it affects people. 


2019-nCoV Novel Coronavirus | P&G Professional

## What is 2019 novel coronavirus?

On December 31, 2019, World Health Organization was alerted to several cases of pneumonia in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. The virus did not match any other known virus. This raised concern because when a virus is new, it is not known how it affects people. One week later, Chinese authorities confirmed that they had identified a new virus. The new virus is a coronavirus, which is a family of viruses that include the common cold, and viruses such as SARS and MERS. This new virus was temporarily named “2019-nCoV.”
 

## Risk to Europe

If cases are detected in a timely manner and rigorous infection control measures are applied, the likelihood of sustained human-to-human transmission in community settings in Europe is low. Systematic implementation of infection prevention and control measures were effective in controlling SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV.
 

## Have there been cases of 2019-nCoV in Europe?

Yes. As of 30 January, cases have been reported in France (5), Germany (4), and Finland (1). The current count of cases of infection with 2019-nCoV in Europe is available on European Centre for Disease Prevention and Contol’s website: [https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases](https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases)

 

## Symptom of Infection

Patients with 2019-nCoV have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of: fever, cough, shortness of breath
 

## How does 2019-nCoV spread?

During previous outbreaks due to other coronavirus (Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), human-to-human transmission occurred through droplets, contact and fomites, suggesting that transmission of the 2019- nCoV can be similar. 
 

## General Precautions for Avoiding Infections

The basic principles to reduce the general risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections include the following:
- Avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections. 
- Frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment. 
- Avoiding unprotected contact with farm or wild animals.
- People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands).

 

Sources: World Health Organization; European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

On December 31, 2019, World Health Organization was alerted to several cases of pneumonia in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. The virus did not match any other known virus. This raised concern because when a virus is new, it is not known how it affects people.