Coronavirus Declared as a Global Health Emergency by WHO

The latest on the coronavirus outbreak in China

Coronavirus, the Chinese virus that has been bothering people about their health and plans to visit the country has been declared as a Global Health Emergency by WHO. Here’s why, when, and how of it.

 

The spread of coronavirus is serious. It was declared an international public health emergency by the WHO on Thursday. The decision was taken mainly when more than a hundred cases of the illness were detected in other countries than China, and the news of the first human to human transmission in the US was reported.

Coronavirus is rapidly spreading in China. As of early January 30, 2020, China has more than 7,700 cases and 170 deaths due to it. This decision was made after a lengthy discussion by the experts that are appointed by the agency. They thought that worsening situation of China should be the base for the declaration, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

 

Also known as 2019-nCoV, Coronavirus is spreading quickly. As of Thursday, the number of cases outside China is 98 across 18 nations, but there have been no deaths in these nations yet.  

Addressing a press conference regarding coronavirus being declared a global health emergency, Tedros said “The main reason for this declaration is not because of what is happening in China, but because of what is happening in other countries. We don’t know what sort of damage this virus could do if it were to spread in a country with a weaker health system. We must act now to help countries prepare for that possibility.”

 

What Next?

After announcing coronavirus as a global health emergency, WHO can now impose international travel restrictions. Most countries are already cautioning its citizens to not to travel to Wuhan and even China. Some are even extracting their citizens out of the vicinity.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also has the power to recommend limited trade or travel to China, but it has not been done till the time of writing this article. He said “Let me be clear, this declaration is not a vote of no confidence in China. Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems.”

 

Which Other Global Health Emergencies Exist?

Officially known as the Public Health Emergency of International Concern, there have been only five illnesses that have been labelled a global health emergency. Swine Flu in 2009, Ebola in 2014, Polio Resurgence in 2014, Zika virus in 2017 and Kivu Ebola in 2018-present.

 

What Does It Mean for the Aussies?

The Australian government is planning to evacuate around 600 Aussies and quarantine those people in the Christmas Island Detention Centre. The President of Christmas Island Shire, Gordon Thomson, has shared his disapproval already.

Also, the Australian government is yet to get the approval of Chinese authorities for the process which won’t be easy as there is no Australian Consular Presence in Wuhan.

Seven cases of Coronavirus have been reported in Australia already. It means the Coronavirus situation is a mess for the Aussies as well as the government!