On 28th January, the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand announced there have been a total of 14 cases of Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV detected in Thailand. 13 cases had travelled from Wuhan and 1 case from Chongqing. Five of the cases are from the same family.
A press release from the Ministry of Public Health (in Thai language) can be seen here
A WHO Situation Report on Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV for 27th January 2020 can be seen here
Background
Beginning early December 2019, an upsurge of cases of pneumonia was detected in persons from Wuhan city in China. Cases have now also been detected in many other parts of China, and human-to human transmission has been confirmed in the city of Wuhan. Chinese authorities identified a new coronavirus as the agent causing these cases. 14 imported cases have also been reported in Thailand: all in people that had traveled from Wuhan. Cases have also been reported from several other countries.
Coronaviruses are common - many cause less severe illness such as the common cold; other are known to cause more severe illness (SARS and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, MERS)
At present, WHO does not recommend any specific health measures for travelers in relation to this event. WHO advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions on China based on the information available. If travelers develop respiratory illness before, during or after travel, they should seek medical attention and share travel history with their health care provider.
The World Health Organization is working with Thailand and other countries to track further understand infections caused by this new coronavirus and to ensure that they are prevented and controlled. This includes,
- Facilitating information sharing on this and other relevant health events between countries
- In the longer term, using the International Health Regulations to develop and strengthen the capacities of countries to detect and respond to infections like the new coronavirus.
- Providing all countries with a technical package of interim guidance, including
- Surveillance and case definitions
- Laboratory guidance
- Clinical management for suspected novel coronavirus
- Home care for patients with suspected novel coronavirus
- Infection prevention and control
- Risk communications
- Readiness checklist
- Disease commodity package
- Reducing transmission from animals to humans