According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States has seen its first confirmed case of mysterious coronavirus, which originated from Wuhan, China. The virus sickened hundred and killed nine people so far in China.
The virus, called 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019 nCoV), has caused pneumonia-like illness. It has been found that the virus is spreading among humans; however, it is unclear how it is actually spreading in humans.
The first case of the virus in the United States appeared in Washington when a patient returned from Wuhan on January 15. The patient arrived at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport before the officials started any screening.
The patient received medical attention by January 19 and based on his history of travel and manifestations, the doctors have suspected that he has contracted the new virus. After sending a clinical specimen to CDC, the diagnosis was confirmed through a test.
Although the patient is now stable, he has been quarantined to prevent the spread of the virus across the nation.
The CDC has currently been working closely with local authorities and the state to bolster up preventive measures.
On January 18, the CDC started screening passengers arriving from Wuhan to all airports across the nation. Officials started screening for the temperature, any signs and symptoms of the ongoing coronavirus infection, including a cough and breathing difficulties.
The CDC has issued a travel notice for Wuhan, advising people to practice enhanced precautions if they should travel to the United States.
Director of CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Dr. Martin Cetron, said, “To further protect the health of the American public during the emergence of this novel coronavirus, CDC is beginning entry screening at three ports of entry. Investigations into this novel coronavirus are ongoing and we are monitoring and responding to this evolving situation.” The CDC has deployed 100 additional staff to New York’s JFK Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and Los Angeles’s LAX.
