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Coronavirus outbreak: four tested in Scotland after arriving from Wuhan - live news Coronavirus outbreak: four tested in Scotland after arriving from Wuhan - live news
(32 minutes later)
Possible cases in Scotland come as World Health Organisation committee meets for second dayPossible cases in Scotland come as World Health Organisation committee meets for second day
A number of universities in Scotland have student exchange arrangements with Chinese institutions, Libby Brooks reports.
Glasgow University has a partnership agreement with the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in Wuhan, where the current outbreak began, with 23 students currently studying at Glasgow on that programme. The university issued guidance to its students yesterday to follow the advice being issued on the Coronavirus outbreak, adding: “We are conscious that our students may have family and friends in the locality and our thoughts are with anyone who may have been affected”.
Dundee University also has a joint education partnership with the University of Wuhan, with 34 students currently studying in Scotland.
A spokesperson for the Dundee University said: “There have been no health concerns raised among that group but we will continue to monitor the situation closely.” Five staff members returned from a visit to Wuhan last week, but again, the spokesperson said that “no health concerns have been raised at this time”.
A spokesman for the University of Dundee told PA it had issued advice to students recently in China and said they should be careful if receiving items, especially food, from areas where the virus is present.
Professor Juergen Haas, the specialist in infectious diseases at the University of Edinburgh, who confirmed the Scottish tests, explained: “Here at the University of Edinburgh we have more than 2,000 students from China and they are always coming and going back to China so we are relatively sure we will have cases in the UK from travellers coming back from China.”
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has updated its advice for Britons planning to travel to China, warning against “all but essential travel to Wuhan.”The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has updated its advice for Britons planning to travel to China, warning against “all but essential travel to Wuhan.”
The FCO’s advice, updated yesterday and still current, says:The FCO’s advice, updated yesterday and still current, says:
That Public Health England advice linked to in the above quote announced that screening measures were being put in place for passengers arriving in Heathrow from the thrice-weekly direct flights between the UK and Wuhan.That Public Health England advice linked to in the above quote announced that screening measures were being put in place for passengers arriving in Heathrow from the thrice-weekly direct flights between the UK and Wuhan.
Top experts on infectious diseases have held a hastily-arranged press conference on the Coronavirus at the World Economic Forum this afternoon, reports Graeme Wearden in Davos.Top experts on infectious diseases have held a hastily-arranged press conference on the Coronavirus at the World Economic Forum this afternoon, reports Graeme Wearden in Davos.
Jeremy Farrar of the Wellcome Trust gave reporters a swift explanation -- about how the virus probably jumped from bats to humans at a market in Wutan, before then starting to spread between humans.Jeremy Farrar of the Wellcome Trust gave reporters a swift explanation -- about how the virus probably jumped from bats to humans at a market in Wutan, before then starting to spread between humans.
The fact the virus spreads between humans through the respiratory route makes it particularly serious, Farrar explained; experts have been worrying about this happening for some time. Farrar said:The fact the virus spreads between humans through the respiratory route makes it particularly serious, Farrar explained; experts have been worrying about this happening for some time. Farrar said:
Farrar, who says he’s “very concerned” about the situation, also warned against thinking of it as a China-only problem:Farrar, who says he’s “very concerned” about the situation, also warned against thinking of it as a China-only problem:
Richard Hatchett, Chief Executive Officer of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovations (CEPI), announced that three new partnerships with vaccine producers have just been agreed (see previous post).Richard Hatchett, Chief Executive Officer of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovations (CEPI), announced that three new partnerships with vaccine producers have just been agreed (see previous post).
Hatchett and Farrar both spoke about the importance of using non-pharmaceutical interventions, until a vaccine is developed. That includes public health measures -- hand-washing, keeping people apart, masks, and travel restrictions.Hatchett and Farrar both spoke about the importance of using non-pharmaceutical interventions, until a vaccine is developed. That includes public health measures -- hand-washing, keeping people apart, masks, and travel restrictions.
Farrar’s hunch is that the coronavirus will have a lower mortality rate than the SARS epidemic 28 years ago, which killed 788 people. But if it spreads faster and further than SARS, and isn’t controlled in time, then the death toll could be higher than SARS. But there’s a lot of uncertainty.Farrar’s hunch is that the coronavirus will have a lower mortality rate than the SARS epidemic 28 years ago, which killed 788 people. But if it spreads faster and further than SARS, and isn’t controlled in time, then the death toll could be higher than SARS. But there’s a lot of uncertainty.
He reminded reporters that the influenza epidemic a century ago had a low mortality rate, but killed 50m people because it spread so far.He reminded reporters that the influenza epidemic a century ago had a low mortality rate, but killed 50m people because it spread so far.
There’s more in our Davos liveblog:There’s more in our Davos liveblog:
Three separate research teams backed by a global coalition set up to fight epidemic diseases are to start work on developing potential vaccines against the new coronavirus that has caused a disease outbreak in China, Reuters reports.Three separate research teams backed by a global coalition set up to fight epidemic diseases are to start work on developing potential vaccines against the new coronavirus that has caused a disease outbreak in China, Reuters reports.
But it has to be said that there are no vaccines against either SARS or MERS yet, so perhaps they are being a little ambitious.But it has to be said that there are no vaccines against either SARS or MERS yet, so perhaps they are being a little ambitious.
Five Chinese cities have been put on lockdown and Beijing has cancelled a number of major public events in an attempt to contain the spread of a deadly coronavirus outbreak.Five Chinese cities have been put on lockdown and Beijing has cancelled a number of major public events in an attempt to contain the spread of a deadly coronavirus outbreak.
Authorities banned transport links from Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, on Thursday morning, suspending buses, subways, ferries and shutting the airport and train stations to outgoing passengers. Later in the day, the nearby central Chinese cities of Huanggang, Ezhou and Chiba also announced traffic restrictions to prevent residents from leaving.Authorities banned transport links from Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, on Thursday morning, suspending buses, subways, ferries and shutting the airport and train stations to outgoing passengers. Later in the day, the nearby central Chinese cities of Huanggang, Ezhou and Chiba also announced traffic restrictions to prevent residents from leaving.
Starting at midnight, long-distance buses, the rapid transit system, and train station in Huanggang would be shut, according to a notice from the local government. Movie theatres, internet cafes, and other entertainment venues would all stop operating. Residents should not leave the city, except for “special reasons”.Starting at midnight, long-distance buses, the rapid transit system, and train station in Huanggang would be shut, according to a notice from the local government. Movie theatres, internet cafes, and other entertainment venues would all stop operating. Residents should not leave the city, except for “special reasons”.
What is the virus causing illness in Wuhan?What is the virus causing illness in Wuhan?
It is a novel coronavirus – that is to say, a member of the coronavirus family that has never been encountered before.It is a novel coronavirus – that is to say, a member of the coronavirus family that has never been encountered before.
What are the symptoms caused by the Wuhan coronavirus?What are the symptoms caused by the Wuhan coronavirus?
The virus causes pneumonia. Those who have fallen ill are reported to suffer coughs, fever and breathing difficulties. As this is viral pneumonia, antibiotics are of no use.The virus causes pneumonia. Those who have fallen ill are reported to suffer coughs, fever and breathing difficulties. As this is viral pneumonia, antibiotics are of no use.
Is the virus being transmitted from one person to another?Is the virus being transmitted from one person to another?
Human-to-human transmission has been confirmed by China’s national health commission, although it does not appear to be happening easily as was the case with Sars. As of 23 January the Chinese authorities had acknowledged 517 cases and 17 deaths. The virus has also been confirmed outside China, in the US, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan.Human-to-human transmission has been confirmed by China’s national health commission, although it does not appear to be happening easily as was the case with Sars. As of 23 January the Chinese authorities had acknowledged 517 cases and 17 deaths. The virus has also been confirmed outside China, in the US, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan.
How worried are the experts?How worried are the experts?
There are fears that the coronavirus may spread more widely during the week-long lunar new year holidays, which start on 24 January, when millions of Chinese people travel home to celebrate. At the moment, it appears that people in poor health are at greatest risk, as is always the case with flu.There are fears that the coronavirus may spread more widely during the week-long lunar new year holidays, which start on 24 January, when millions of Chinese people travel home to celebrate. At the moment, it appears that people in poor health are at greatest risk, as is always the case with flu.
Should we panic?Should we panic?
No.No.
This is a very truncated version of a much more detailed coronavirus explainer running elsewhere on the site. Read more here:This is a very truncated version of a much more detailed coronavirus explainer running elsewhere on the site. Read more here:
In case you have not been following the story of the coronavirus outbreak, here is an outline of the past three weeks of developments, since first reports began emerging from China at the beginning of the month.In case you have not been following the story of the coronavirus outbreak, here is an outline of the past three weeks of developments, since first reports began emerging from China at the beginning of the month.
It is around three weeks since the first cases emerged in Wuhan, east China of an unexplained viral pneumonia, sparking fears of a recurrence of the Sars outbreak of 2002-03 that killed more than 700 people.It is around three weeks since the first cases emerged in Wuhan, east China of an unexplained viral pneumonia, sparking fears of a recurrence of the Sars outbreak of 2002-03 that killed more than 700 people.
By 5 January, 59 suspected cases of the new outbreak had been diagnosed, with the most common symptom being fever, and shortness of breath and lung infections appearing in a smaller number of cases. People were being isolated while they received treatment.By 5 January, 59 suspected cases of the new outbreak had been diagnosed, with the most common symptom being fever, and shortness of breath and lung infections appearing in a smaller number of cases. People were being isolated while they received treatment.
Most of the cases were of workers, handlers or frequent visitors to one food market in Wuhan city, the Huanan South China Seafood Market. On 11 January, the disease claimed its first victim, a 61-year-old man who was a regular buyer at the Huanan market.Most of the cases were of workers, handlers or frequent visitors to one food market in Wuhan city, the Huanan South China Seafood Market. On 11 January, the disease claimed its first victim, a 61-year-old man who was a regular buyer at the Huanan market.
As alarm spread, the World Health Organization said a newly emerging member of the family of viruses that caused the deadly outbreaks of Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers) could be the cause of the outbreak. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause infections ranging from the common cold to Sars. Some of the virus types cause less serious disease, while some like the one that causes Mers are far more severeAs alarm spread, the World Health Organization said a newly emerging member of the family of viruses that caused the deadly outbreaks of Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers) could be the cause of the outbreak. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause infections ranging from the common cold to Sars. Some of the virus types cause less serious disease, while some like the one that causes Mers are far more severe
The outbreak came at a particularly mobile time for Chinese people, with millions on the move to be with loved ones for the lunar new year, so it was inevitable that the virus would spread. The first case outside China was detected in Thailand on 14 January, in a woman who had travelled to the country from China. Japan confirmed its first case two days later, but as recently as last weekend – and despite a second death in China from the virus – no screening was taking place in airports in the UK or Australia.The outbreak came at a particularly mobile time for Chinese people, with millions on the move to be with loved ones for the lunar new year, so it was inevitable that the virus would spread. The first case outside China was detected in Thailand on 14 January, in a woman who had travelled to the country from China. Japan confirmed its first case two days later, but as recently as last weekend – and despite a second death in China from the virus – no screening was taking place in airports in the UK or Australia.
On Tuesday US and Australian health officials announced their first domestic cases, at the same time as Chinese doctors confirmed human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus and airports around the world began introducing screening checks for visitors from affected regions.On Tuesday US and Australian health officials announced their first domestic cases, at the same time as Chinese doctors confirmed human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus and airports around the world began introducing screening checks for visitors from affected regions.
At first minister’s questions this morning, Nicola Sturgeon gave assurances that the Scottish government and its health protection agency were closely monitoring the situation. She said:At first minister’s questions this morning, Nicola Sturgeon gave assurances that the Scottish government and its health protection agency were closely monitoring the situation. She said:
Welcome to our live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak.Welcome to our live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak.
In the latest developments, four people in Scotland are being tested for the virus, as the World Health Organization’s emergency committee meets for a second day to decide whether to categorise the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.In the latest developments, four people in Scotland are being tested for the virus, as the World Health Organization’s emergency committee meets for a second day to decide whether to categorise the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.
The head of infection medicine at the University of Edinburgh, Prof Jürgen Haas, said he believed there would be many more cases from other cities in the UK. He said three suspected cases were in Edinburgh and the other was believed to be in Glasgow.The head of infection medicine at the University of Edinburgh, Prof Jürgen Haas, said he believed there would be many more cases from other cities in the UK. He said three suspected cases were in Edinburgh and the other was believed to be in Glasgow.
Tests are being carried out and none of the patients have yet been confirmed as having the virus. They all travelled to Scotland from Wuhan in China, where the outbreak is thought to have originated, within the past two weeks and are showing symptoms of respiratory trouble – a red flag for the virus.Tests are being carried out and none of the patients have yet been confirmed as having the virus. They all travelled to Scotland from Wuhan in China, where the outbreak is thought to have originated, within the past two weeks and are showing symptoms of respiratory trouble – a red flag for the virus.