Coronavirus Outbreaks
Originating in China
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Given the extensive media coverage on the spread of the new Coronavirus, this serves as a brief update on measures in place in case you, or your colleagues, have questions.
There is as yet no cause for concern to the UK from the Coronavirus, which is a virus of the same family of viruses as the type that caused the SARS (Serious Acquired Respiratory Syndrome) worldwide outbreak in 2002-2003.
According to the Public Health Service, the risk to the UK is currently low.
There is no cause for alarm and media reports suggesting this virus is of similar severity to Ebola are extremely inaccurate and unhelpful.
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What is the outbreak?
On the 31st of December 2019, the World Health Organisation was informed of a cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan City, China. The cause is now identified as a Coronavirus, one of the families of viruses, which caused the SARS (Serious Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in 2002-2003 across the world. These viruses are fairly common and usually mild.
Spread of the new virus type, which can be mild but also can be serious in vulnerable people (elderly, those in poor health) has now occurred in twelve countries. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared an alert but not, at this stage, a “public health emergency of international concern.”
Symptoms range from cold-like symptoms to body aches, chills, fever, severe shivering (flu-like symptoms) to shortness of breath and wheezing.
These symptoms are the same as MANY other conditions circulating and it is currently very highly unlikely anyone with these existing symptoms will have this coronavirus in Hertfordshire as things stand.
There are as yet no cases in the UK. The virus seems to be spreading along the diaspora of large Chinese communities, in the same way as SARS did.
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What should we be doing locally?
Guidance is being issued to all clinical services, including GPs locally, in terms of dealing with this.
The only thing anyone need do is reinforce and practice universal hygiene measures that we all should do (but often don’t) for all respiratory infections like colds etc. It is highly probable that the method of spread is the same as colds, flu and other coronaviruses: droplets.
Hygiene measures are the most effective way of limiting the spread of all these viruses, especially since we are in the flu season. There is no vaccine.
Hygiene measures are:
- Sneeze into disposable tissues “Catch it”, dispose of them “Bin it” and then wash hands with warm soap and water or use hand gel if not possible to wash (“kill it”)
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
- Avoid touching your face unless you’ve just washed your hands
- Ensure surfaces, which get droplets on them from coughs and sneezes, are cleaned with ordinary detergents regularly if people are showing symptoms of colds and flu (e.g. handles, worktops etc.)
At this stage, there is no need for any further local measures. We should all be doing this all the time especially during cold and flu season.
The Chinese authorities are putting in place significant measures to contain the outbreak because of local circumstances. There is no need for these here as things stand.
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What are public health agencies doing nationally and internationally?
Public Health England, Directors of Public Health and NHS services are in regular contact to consider what measures will be needed if we get cases in the UK. The experience of SARS has left us with clinical protocols, infection control and cleaning guidelines and other measures we can put in place quickly.
From today, enhanced monitoring will be in place from all direct flights from Wuhan to the UK.
- The enhanced monitoring package includes a number of measures that will help to provide advice to travellers if they feel unwell. For those travelling back directly from Wuhan, this includes a Port Health team who will meet each direct flight aircraft to provide advice and support to those that feel unwell
- There are three direct flights a week that arrive at Heathrow from Wuhan. The enhanced monitoring of direct flights will be kept under continuous review and expanded to other Chinese departure points if necessary
Based on the emerging evidence regarding case numbers, potential sources, and human-to-human transmission, the risk to the UK population has currently been assessed as low. This has been raised from very low due to current evidence on the likelihood of cases being imported into this country.
The UK is well prepared for new diseases and our approach is being kept under constant review. The government have issued clinical guidelines for the detection and diagnosis of Wuhan Novel Coronavirus and PHE has developed a diagnostic test.
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People travelling to or from Wuhan
If you are travelling to Wuhan, you should maintain good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene and should avoid visiting animal and bird markets or people who are ill with respiratory symptoms (coughs, sneezes, shortness of breathing, wheezing, flu-like symptoms, fever) should not return to work until they have had advice from their doctor.
Individuals should seek medical attention if they develop respiratory symptoms within 14 days of visiting Wuhan, either in China or on their return to the UK. They should phone ahead to NHS 111 before attending any health services and mention their recent travel to the city.
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Guidelines for Managers
As a precaution, anyone returning from travel to Wuhan with respiratory symptoms (coughs, sneezes, shortness of breathing, wheezing, flu-like symptoms) should limit social contact and not return to work until they have had advice from their doctor.
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HCPA will keep you informed if the Public Health Service
deems any significant changes have occurred.
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