TSR Health: The deadly Coronavirus outbreak is now officially a public health emergency for the globe, as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The official announcement was made today following the meeting of an emergency committee in Geneva, CNN reports.
Last week, WHO said the virus did not yet constitute the emergency declaration, but that changed when the numbers and evidence of person-to-person transmission began to rise outside of China. WHO leadership called the committee back together over concerns of a larger outbreak down the line.
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“The main reason for this declaration is not because of what is happening in China, but because of what is happening in other countries,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Thursday. “Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems, and which are ill-prepared to deal with it.”
WHO defines a public health emergency of international concern as “an extraordinary event” that constitutes a “public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease” and “to potentially require a coordinated international response.” Previous emergencies declared by WHO have included Ebola, Zika and H1N1.
Officials said that declaring the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern would allow WHO to better coordinate the international response to the deadly virus.
Ghebreyesus commended China for its actions to limit the spread of the virus, saying that “we would have seen many more cases outside China by now — and probably deaths — if it were not for the government’s efforts.
“Let me be clear: This declaration is not a vote of no confidence in China,” Ghebreyesus said. “On the contrary, WHO continues to have confidence in China’s capacity to control the outbreak.”
Roommates, please remember to stay safe as health workers continue to try to stop the spread of the virus.
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
