An epidemic of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is affecting mainland China, along with isolated cases in 28 other countries and territories. It was identified in Wuhan, the capital of China's Hubei province, after 41 people developed pneumonia without a clear cause. The virus, which causes 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease, is capable of spreading from person to person. The incubation period (time from exposure to onset of symptoms) ranges from 0 to 24 days, with a mean of 3 days, but it may be contagious during this period and after recovery. Symptoms include fever, coughing and breathing difficulties. An estimate of the death rate in February 2020 was 2% of confirmed cases, higher among those who require admission to hospital. As of early February 2020 there is no vaccine and no specific treatment, although several vaccine approaches and antivirals are being investigated.
As of 9 February 2020, 40,553 cases have been confirmed (6,494 serious), including in every province-level division of China. A larger number of people may have been infected, but not detected (especially mild cases). As of 9 February 2020, 910 deaths have been attributed to the virus since the first confirmed death on 9 January, with 3,322 recoveries. The first local transmission outside China occurred in Vietnam between family members, while the first local transmission not involving family occurred in Germany, on 22 January, when a German man contracted the disease from a Chinese business visitor at a meeting. The first death outside China was reported in the Philippines, where a 44-year-old male from Wuhan died on 1 February.
In China and around the world, public health authorities are trying to contain the spread of the outbreak. The government of China has introduced travel restrictions and outdoor restrictions – requiring families to stay at home – affecting over 170 million people. A number of countries have issued warnings against travel to Wuhan, Hubei, and China generally. Travellers who have visited Mainland China have been asked to monitor their health for at least two weeks. Anyone who suspects that they are carrying the virus is advised to wear a protective mask and seek medical advice by calling a doctor rather than directly visiting a clinic in person. Airports and train stations have implemented temperature checks, health declarations and information signage in an attempt to identify carriers of the virus. Many Lunar New Year events and tourist attractions have been closed to prevent mass gatherings, including the Forbidden City in Beijing and traditional temple fairs. In 24 of China's 31 provinces, municipalities and regions, authorities announced that the New Year's holiday is extended to 10 February, instructing most workplaces not to re-open until that date. These regions represent 80% of the country's GDP and 90% of exports. Hong Kong raised its infectious disease response level to the highest and declared an emergency, closing schools until March and cancelling its New Year celebrations.
The outbreak has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO), based on the possible effects the virus could have if it spreads to countries with weaker healthcare systems. The declaration was the sixth time that the measure has been invoked since the H1N1 pandemic in 2009. Xenophobia and racism against people of Chinese and East Asian descent has arisen as a result of the outbreak, with fear and hostility occurring in several countries. Misinformation spread primarily online about the coronavirus has led the WHO to declare an "infodemic" on 2 February.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019–20_Wuhan_coronavirus_outbreak
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