WHO "Infection Without China Visit History, Potential for Large-Scale Outbreak"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about cases of novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) occurring in patients who have not visited China. Although it is currently just a small spark, it could spread into a large fire.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said at a press briefing held in Geneva on the 10th (local time), "Recently, cases of transmission have begun to appear in France and the United Kingdom among people who have no history of visiting China," adding, "The discovery of some of these cases could become a bigger fire."

He said, "At present, it is just a spark," and urged, "Our goal is to prevent the spread. We must seize this golden opportunity to stop it from spreading into a bigger fire in all countries."

The possibility of infection from people without a history of visiting China could pose a great risk, but it is interpreted to mean that it can be prevented depending on the efforts of each country.

It was also confirmed that the WHO investigation team to study the novel coronavirus has visited China. Director-General Ghebreyesus introduced, "The WHO advance team led by Dr. Bruce Aylward has just arrived in China," adding, "They will carry out preparatory work for the main team."

He said, "The team led by Dr. Aylward will collaborate with the Chinese team," and expressed gratitude for experts volunteering from around the world. However, he did not provide specific details about the advance team's activity plans.

In addition, WHO also disclosed measures for regions with vulnerable healthcare facilities, such as Africa.

Director-General Ghebreyesus said, "WHO is cooperating to enable countries to establish laboratories capable of rapidly diagnosing the novel coronavirus," and reported, "Currently, 158 laboratories worldwide have the technical capability to test for the novel coronavirus."

He introduced, "Diagnostic kits have been sent to Cameroon, C?te d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Iran, Morocco, and others," adding, "150,000 diagnostic kits to be sent to various countries are being produced in Germany."

Additionally, Director-General Ghebreyesus stated, "The overall pattern has not changed," and reported, "99% of patients have been reported in China, most cases are mild, but 2% are fatal."

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