Based on the information that the World Health Organization (WHO) received from the National Health Commission on 11th and 12th January, it was highly suggestive that the outbreak is associated with exposures in one seafood market in Wuhan. 41 confirmed cases were noted and there was one death. China shared the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus on 12th January, which can help other countries develop diagnostic kits. The cluster was initially reported on 31 December 2019, when the WHO China Country Office was informed. The Chinese authorities identified a new type of coronavirus (novel coronavirus, nCoV), which was isolated on 7 January 2020. Laboratory testing was conducted on all suspected cases identified through active case finding and retrospective review. Other respiratory pathogens such as influenza, avian influenza, adenovirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) were ruled out as the cause.
The clinical signs and symptoms reported are mainly fever, with a few cases having difficulty in breathing, and chest radiographs showing invasive pneumonic infiltrates in both lungs. National authorities report that patients have been isolated and are receiving treatment in Wuhan medical institutions. According to the preliminary epidemiological investigation, most cases worked at or were handlers and frequent visitors to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market. The government reports that there is no clear evidence that the virus passes easily from person to person.
The following public health response measures were taken:
- A total of 763 close contacts including healthcare workers, have been identified and followed up and no additional cases of infection with the novel coronavirus have been identified;
- The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission carried out active case finding, and retrospective investigations of the current cluster of patients have been completed
- The Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market has been temporarily closed to carry out environmental sanitation and disinfection;
- Public risk communication activities have been carried out to improve public awareness and adoption of self-protection measures.
Source: https://www.who.int/csr/don/12-january-2020-novel-coronavirus-china/en/