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Outbreak of Pneumonia in Wuhan City, Hubei, China (Update 1)

20 Jan 2020

An ongoing outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, ChinaLink has been linked to a newly-discovered coronavirus. The World Health OrganisationLinkreports that, as of 20 January 2020, there have been 205 cases including 3 deaths. Coronaviruses are a well-recognised cause of human illnesses that range from mild to severe. This outbreak has been linked to possible exposure to infection at the South China Seafood City market in Wuhan.

As of 20 January 2020, all cases are people who live in or have travelled to, Wuhan.

Advice to Travellers

While the risk to UK travellers to Wuhan is currently considered low, because of this incident and the ongoing risk of avian flu in China generally, travellers are advised to take simple precautions such as practicing good hand, personal and respiratory hygiene, and to minimise contact with birds and animals in markets in Wuhan or elsewhere in China.

If travellers returning from Wuhan or elsewhere in China become unwell, particularly with respiratory symptoms, within 14 days of their return, they should call their GP or NHS 111 and report their recent travel. 

Further information and travel advice can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-and-avian-flu-advice-for-travel-to-chinaLink