On Feb 15th, the WHO reported a COVID-19 case in Egypt, the first for Africa, taking the number of countries outside China with confirmed cases to 25 (and 14 with transmission occurring outside China). A day prior (Feb 14), the agency announced that 1,716 Chinese healthcare workers had been infected with the novel coronavirus, resulting in six deaths. The Feb 19 National Health Commission (NHC) update reported the total number of confirmed cases had risen to 74,185 and there had been 2,004 deaths from 31 provincial-level regions (Hubei accounted for over 61,000 of the cases and 1,921 deaths). The large increase in cases seen in the WHO Sitrep on Monday this week reflected a change in reporting to include all confirmed cases and those that are clinically diagnosed.
A number of countries have introduced enhanced screening procedures and travel restrictions that apply to arrivals from some SE Asian countries – information is listed by destination on the Smartraveller website.
Thailand’s daily update of Feb 17 noted that ‘The Ministry has added to its definition of a Person Under Investigation (PUI) for COVID-19 infection, by including anybody who presents with fever and symptoms and with travel history to Japan and Singapore (in addition to mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taipei and environs) within 14 days prior to the onset of illness.’
In Japan, the birthday celebrations for Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, and some local and regional sporting events have been cancelled due to concerns that the public gatherings could lead to spread of the novel coronavirus.
A range of recent journal and other articles/resources on COVID-19:
COVID-19: what is next for public health? Read article here.
Isolation, quarantine, social distancing and community containment: pivotal role for old-style public health measures in the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak. Read article here.
Coronavirus up to 20 times more likely than Sars to bind to human cells, study suggests. Read more
Lastly, the WHO updates the Database of publications on coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) on a daily basis, and its Technical Guidance webpage provides information on the the management of mass gatherings, for ill travellers via air, ground and sea as well as public health preparedness and response for aviation and maritime companies.
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.