Outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan City, Hubei, China: updated

The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), originating in Wuhan City, Hubei province, has been reported in all regions of China and has also been detected in 23 countries around the world.

On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), in order to strengthen international measures to contain the spread of 2019-nCoV.

As of 2 February 2020, the 13th WHO situation report stated 14,557 confirmed cases have been confirmed globally, of which 14,411 were in China, which includes 304 deaths. Outside of China, 146 cases have been confirmed in 23 countries, including one death in the Philippines.

On the 31 January 2020, two cases were confirmed in the UK, with further information being available from the Public Health England (PHE) website.

This is a new and rapidly evolving situation where information on cases and the virus is being gathered and assessed daily.

Advice to travellers

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) currently advise against all travel to Hubei Province and all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China (not including Hong Kong and Macao). FCO travel advisories are subject to change, with travellers advised to check the FCO foreign travel advice page for the latest advice, prior to travel.

Travellers to countries reporting cases of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) should follow local public health advice.

Information on novel coronavirus is available on the TRAVAX (for travel healthcare practitioners) and fitfortravel (for the travelling public) websites.

Advice to healthcare practitioners

There remains a risk of imported cases to the UK, therefore health professionals should remain vigilant for symptomatic individuals who may have 2019-nCoV infection.

Guidance on testing, as well as a range of other resources and materials, is available from the Health Protection Scotland (HPS) (for Scotland) and PHE (for the rest of the UK) websites.

Source: TRAVAX, 31 January 2020