WUHAN VIRAL PNEUMONIA OUTBREAK

Advisory Update (14TH Jan 2020)

Infection Control Committee
Clinical Quality & Governance Division

Wuhan
65 suspected cases total
41 Cases – Confirmed for Coronavirus

61 yr old, Chinese male

1st Death case
(multiple background medical issues)
▪ Chronic Liver Disease
▪ Abdominal Tumour

Hong Kong
67 suspected cases total
51 Cases – Negative for Coronavirus
16 Cases – Pending result (stable)

Singapore
26, Chinese Male & 3 year old Chinese Girl
Both with Positive Travel History to Wuhan
Both tested Negative for Coronavirus

Thailand
61 yr old, Chinese Tourist from Wuhan
Detected to have Respiratory symptoms on 8th Jan 2020
Positive for Novel Coronavirus on 13th Jan 2020
 Virus Family

Common Human Coronaviruses

▪ Usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses, like the common cold.
▪ Most people get infected with these viruses at some point in their lives.
▪ These illnesses usually only last for a short amount of time.

Symptoms
▪ Runny nose
▪ Headache
▪ Cough
▪ Sore throat
▪ Fever
▪ General feeling of being unwell
 Coronavirus Family
Human coronaviruses can sometimes cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses,
such as pneumonia or bronchitis. This is more common in people with
cardiopulmonary disease, people with weakened immune systems, infants, and older
adults.

Two human coronaviruses, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV have been known to

frequently cause severe symptoms. MERS symptoms usually include fever, cough,
and shortness of breath which often progress to pneumonia.

MERS cases continue to occur, primarily in the Arabian Peninsula.

No human cases of SARS have been reported anywhere in the world since 2004.
Coronavirus in Civet Cats /
other live animals (SARS -Cov)

Coronavirus
in Bats

Coronavirus in Camels / live

animals (MERS-Cov)

New (Novel)
Coronavirus The genetic sequence of the new
coronavirus was "80 per cent similar"
to the SARS virus found in bats,
civets and humans.
~ Hong Kong Health authorities
 Recommendations as of 10th January 2020

International travelers: practice usual precautions

Adopt Universal Precaution for acute respiratory infections while travelling in or from
affected areas (currently Wuhan City) by:
▪ avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections;
▪ frequent handwashing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their
environment;
▪ avoiding close contact with live or dead farm or wild animals;
▪ travelers with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough
etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues
or clothing, and wash hands).
If a traveler (from affected area) on board of an aircraft/a ship has signs and symptoms
indicative of acute respiratory infections, he / she is required to flag out their symptoms to
the aircraft / ship crew – relevant declaration documents will be required to be completed to
enable contact tracing and follow-up.
Specific to Airlines, the cabin crew of the aircrafts should follow the operational procedures
recommended by International Air Transport Association (IATA) with regards to managing
suspected communicable disease on board an aircraft.
International traffic: no restrictions recommended currently
Given the heavy population movements, expected to significantly increase during the
Chinese New Year in the last week of January, the risk of cases being reported form
elsewhere is increased.
WHO does not recommend any specific health measures, travel restrictions for travelers.
Entry screening has been implemented at:
▪ Macau International Airport
▪ all airports in the Philippines;
▪ Changi Airport in Singapore;
▪ Incheon International Airport in South Korea;
▪ Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai airports in Thailand;
▪ all international airports in Taiwan.
In case of symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness before, during or after
travel, the travelers are encouraged to visit their nearest Medical Clinic to
seek medical attention and share travel history with their health care
provider.