The World Health Organization has declared Coronavirus a global emergency as outbreak continues to spread outside China.
According to the global health body 98 cases have been reported in 18 countries outside of China, but no deaths.
There have been eight cases of human-to-human infection as well reported in Germany, Japan, Vietnam and the United States.
Over 200 people are now believed to have died from the virus with over 2000 cases reported across the world.
The inability of health officials in China and beyond to find an immediate solution to contain the spread has sparked concerns.
The WHO director-general, chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva that “The main reason is not what is happening in China but what is happening in other countries.”
He said “Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems, and which are ill-prepared to deal with it.”
?BREAKING?
“For all of these reasons, I am declaring a public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of #2019nCoV.”-@DrTedros
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 30, 2020
Several African countries have been putting people suspected of having the virus in quarantine, while conducting further tests.
So far no confirmed cases of the virus yet in Africa as countries continue to intensify their health support systems to prevent the spread.
The WHO chief said “We are working diligently with national and international public health partners to bring this outbreak under control as fast as possible.”
“We must support countries with weaker health systems,” Ghebreyesus said.
The full statement by @DrTedros on IHR Emergency Committee on new #coronavirus ? https://t.co/4Ui8D6Mke8 pic.twitter.com/92rihQmclE
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 30, 2020
The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation is giving Africa $5 million to support the continent’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to fight current outbreak of coronavirus.
To fix the current threat the virus poses, Ghebreyesus said “[We must:] -accelerate the development of vaccines, therapeutics & diagnostics; -combat the spread of rumours & misinformation. -review preparedness plans, identify gaps & evaluate the resources needed to identify, isolate & care for cases, & prevent transmission.”
“[We must:]
-share data, knowledge & experience with WHO & the world.
The only way we will defeat this outbreak is for all countries to work together in a spirit of solidarity & cooperation. We are all in this together, & we can only stop it together”-@DrTedros #2019nCov— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 30, 2020
The virus first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan but has spread beyond the shores of China with over 2000 cases reported as well as at least 100 deaths.
Victims often suffer from respiratory illness and this new strain of coronavirus was not previously identified in humans.
Source: Africafeeds.com
