Preventive measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus have been strengthened in Belarus

According to the press service of the Ministry of Health of Belarus, the situation with the novel coronavirus is currently being monitored globally, and preventive measures have been intensified to prevent its spread within the country.

The work of the department's specialists is aimed at preventing the disease among those entering Belarus from countries with an unfavourable epidemiological situation. To promptly take measures to prevent the virus from being imported into the country, comprehensive measures are being carried out at Minsk National Airport. Sanitary and quarantine control of passengers from countries where cases have been detected has been organised at airports, including the use of thermal imaging equipment.

Specialists of the Republican Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology are constantly monitoring the dynamics of the global epidemic situation and are prepared to diagnose the causative agent of the disease according to WHO guidelines.

The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan. In early January, Chinese medics identified the causative agent of the disease – coronavirus 2019-nCoV. All cases of illness suspected of being new pneumonia were subjected to laboratory testing. Measures are being taken in the country to improve technologies that will help to detect new cases of infection more quickly. The source of infection has not yet been identified. Most of the detected cases visited the Wuhan wholesale seafood market.

There are no signs of sustained human-to-human transmission yet. As of January 21, the total number of confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV is 222 (China: 218, Thailand: 2, Japan: 1, Republic of Korea: 1), including 4 deaths (all in Wuhan, China). The number of registered cases in Wuhan (China) includes 15 healthcare workers. The probability of travellers contracting the infection while visiting any food markets in Wuhan is considered moderate, as the source of infection is unknown.

The WHO has issued directives to hospitals worldwide on the prevention and control of the infection. In all countries, travellers arriving from China are being more rigorously screened. The upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations at the end of January 2020 will lead to an increase in travel to/from and within China, which will increase the likelihood of the possible spread of the infection.

Current evidence that human-to-human transmission is limited indicates

that the estimated probability of further community spread is low, but the risk cannot be excluded.

When travelling, it is recommended to avoid crowded places, avoid contact with individuals showing cold symptoms, and wear masks if possible. In addition, it is necessary to wash hands regularly and temporarily refrain from consuming undercooked and under-fried meat, as it is assumed that infection may have occurred from the meat of marine or terrestrial mammals.

Coronaviruses are a family of over 30 viruses first isolated in 1965. Coronaviruses affect humans, domestic animals, pigs, cattle, and birds, and can cause damage to the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, and nervous system. The infection is known to be transmitted from person to person. Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. As these symptoms are similar to many other respiratory illnesses, additional screening is required.

An emergency meeting of the WHO Emergency Committee is scheduled for January 22. This committee consists of international experts who provide technical advice to the WHO Director-General in the context of a "public health emergency of international concern." It is expected that the committee will decide whether the pneumonia outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus constitutes an international emergency and, if necessary, develop the required recommendations. Only countries where cases with signs of this virus have been recorded have been invited to participate in the meeting.