Updated on 30 January 2020
The Situation:
As of Thursday, 30 January, over 8,200 confirmed cases worldwide and at least 170 deaths (all in China) for the novel coronavirus are reported (see breakdown below). So far, the trend remains that the majority of confirmed cases have direct connections to recent travel to Wuhan – the capital of Hubei province and a major transportation hub – or close contact with someone who had recently traveled there and was infected.
There have been eight cases of human-to-human transmission in, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and now the U.S. Chinese officials warn that the virus might spread during the incubation period – when a person has the virus but isn’t yet showing symptoms. Incubation period is currently believed to be anywhere from 1 to 14 days.
The World Health Organization's Emergency Committee met Thursday and declared the outbreak a global emergency amid the recent jump in the number of infected patients and the number of countries impacted.
Number of Confirmed Cases by Country:
**Reports on numbers are expected to change rapidly as the exact impact of the virus is still under investigation and hospitals are increasingly overwhelmed by the current demands.
Mainland China: 8,124 (varying number being reported as some include Hong Kong and Macau)
Australia: 9
Cambodia: 1
Canada: 3
Finland: 1
France: 5
Germany: 4
Hong Kong: 10
India: 1
Japan: 11
Macau: 7
Malaysia: 8
Nepal: 1
Philippines: 1
Singapore: 7
South Korea: 6
Sri Lanka: 1
Taiwan: 9
Thailand: 14
U.A.E.: 4
U.S.: 5
Vietnam: 2
Death Toll:
170 – all in mainland China
Travel Effects
Chinese authorities have ceased all outbound flights and trains as well as public transport in Wuhan and 12 surrounding cities and advised its citizens not leave unless absolutely necessary. Travel restrictions affect approximately 56 million people.
Many other Chinese cities have also chosen to cancel Chinese New Year festivities and major public events indefinitely.
Multiple countries have suspended flights to/from Wuhan and have raised alert levels concerning travel to Wuhan as well as stepped up screening processes for travelers coming from China.
Several countries, such as Japan, US and Australia, established plans to evacuate citizens from impacted areas.
Many countries have urged citizens to reconsider travel or avoid nonessential travel to China and avoid all travel to Hubei.
Airlines suspending services to all or some of China:
Air Astana
Air Canada
Air France
Air India
Air KBZ
Air Seoul
Air Tanzania
American Airlines
Asiana Airlines
Austrian Airlines
British Airways
Cathay Pacific
China Airlines
Delta Air Lines
El Al Israel Airlines
EVA Air
Finnair
Hong Kong Airlines
Iberia
IndiGo
Jetstar Asia
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Lion Air
Lufthansa
Myanmar Airways
Myanmar National
Scandinavian Airlines
SCAT Airlines
SkyUp Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Swiss International
Ukraine International
United Airlines
Ural Airlines
Alerts:
CDC Alert Level 3 for Novel Coronavirus in China – Avoid Nonessential Travel to China – See LINK for further details and updates.
Department of State updates Travel Advisory for China to Level 3: Reconsider Travel – See LINK for further details and updates.
Department of State Travel Advisory for Hubei, China Level 4: Do Not Travel – See LINK for further details and updates.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office – Advise against all travel to China
Symptoms to Watch Out For:
Authorities have advised citizens to be on the lookout for the following symptoms:
High fever
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Cough and/or sore throat
Muscle Aches in some cases also being reported
Pneumonia (secondary infection)
Mitigating Measures to Apply:
Monitor local authorities for updates
Avoid travel to or through Wuhan
Avoid contact with animals (alive or dead), animal markets, and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat)
Wash hands frequently with soap and water; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water isn’t available
Older travelers and those with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease and should discuss travel to Wuhan with their healthcare provider
Avoid exposure to those presenting the above symptoms
Allow extra time for temperature screening at airports worldwide
Enroll in a Safe Traveler Program to receive warnings from your preferred embassy
Seek medical care immediately if you experience symptoms and have recently traveled to the infected areas; notify your healthcare provider of your recent travel
DISCLAIMER and Hold Harmless
Disclaimer: LSDSâ„¢ gathers information from multiple sources and offers insight and perspective to travelers. Sources cannot be validated for accuracy in every instance. Travelers assume all risk associated with their travel and are responsible for the decisions associated with travel and for their own safety. Users of this reference document agree, to hold harmless LSDSâ„¢ (LLC) its employees and clients associated with any risk or injury incurred during travel.