WHO to check novel virus locations outside UK

MANILA - The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a directive on Sunday for all health officials to find out if the novel coronavirus (NCoV) is spreading in countries aside from the United Kingdom (UK), where early cases have been reported.

It also advised countries to continue their surveillance efforts for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI).

"Testing for the new coronavirus should be considered in patients with unexplained pneumonias, or in patients with unexplained severe, progressive or complicated respiratory illness not responding to treatment," said the WHO.

The WHO added that new cases and clusters of the NCoV should be reported promptly to health authorities and them.

"Any clusters of SARI or SARI in healthcare workers should be thoroughly investigated, regardless of where in the world they occur," it said.

Last Wednesday, the UK government confirmed its first human to human transmission of the SARS-like virus.

The patient is believed to have caught the infection from a close family relative, who had travelled to the Middle East.

However, the WHO said it is not advising its member-states to issue a travel advisory since the confirmed victims in UK have no recent travel outside the country.

"WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event nor does it recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied," said the WHO.

As of Saturday, the World Health Organization has recorded 12 cases of human infection with NCoV, including five deaths. (HDT/Sunnex)

(source: www.sunstar.com.ph)