US CDC: "No Evidence Yet of Infection During Incubation Period of Wuhan Pneumonia" (Summary)

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] U.S. health authorities have stated that there is no confirmed evidence yet that transmission occurs during the incubation period of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia). Earlier, the Chinese government claimed that the novel coronavirus could be transmitted during the incubation period, but the U.S. side has refuted this. The U.S. health authorities have decided to maintain the risk level of the novel coronavirus at the 'low level' for now.

Travelers visiting San Francisco, USA
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

On the 27th (local time), Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a press briefing, "There is no clear evidence yet that infection can occur before symptoms of the novel coronavirus appear." However, she added, "We are investigating the possibility of transmission during the incubation period."

Earlier, Ma Xiaowei, director of China's National Health Commission, mentioned that "Unlike Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the novel coronavirus is contagious even during the incubation period." Director Ma did not disclose why the novel coronavirus is considered contagious during the incubation period, unlike other viral diseases.

Whether transmission occurs during the incubation period is a critical issue linked to the design of quarantine systems. Currently, when a confirmed case appears, contacts are investigated for symptoms after the onset date. However, if transmission occurs during the incubation period, it would be necessary to check for transmission among all people contacted during daily life before symptoms appear, which would undermine the foundation of the existing quarantine system. Domestic health authorities have also expressed a negative stance on the possibility of transmission during the incubation period of the novel coronavirus.

The CDC also judged that the probability of transmission through luggage and other items is not high. Dr. Messonnier said, "The novel coronavirus, like SARS and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), has weak survivability," and "Considering shipping times that take days or weeks, the risk is low." She added, "It is not yet confirmed whether the novel coronavirus behaves the same way as other viruses," but "there is currently no evidence that it can be transmitted through imported goods."

Meanwhile, the CDC maintains that although five confirmed cases have occurred in the U.S., the risk is not yet high.

On its website, the CDC stated, "Based on the current progress related to the novel coronavirus, it could pose a very serious public health threat," but also said, "Based on information so far, the direct threat to the general American public is considered low." The CDC explained, "Individual risk varies depending on the degree of exposure," and "At this stage, healthcare workers dealing with novel coronavirus patients or close contacts may have a higher risk of infection, but the general American public is not expected to be exposed to the novel coronavirus."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.