WHO experts see a danger in coronavirus

Pathogens could become a global threat, according to WHO

05/29/2013

The new coronavirus is currently causing great concern. At the conclusion of the 66th World Health Assembly, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) spoke of a global threat. Of all the health problems make Margaret Chan this pathogen „currently the biggest concern. "So far, 22 people have died from an infection with the corona virus.

WHO is concerned about novel coronavirus
„The new coronavirus is a danger to the whole world, "said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan at the conclusion of the 66th World Health Assembly in Geneva. „Based on the potential dangers, we know too little about this virus. "The coronavirus resembles the Sars pathogen that killed some 800 people ten years ago.

According to the WHO, 44 infections were registered with the new pathogen between September 2012 and 23 May 2013. The infection took place mainly in the Middle East in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The health authorities in Saudi Arabia alone spoke of 22 diseases with ten deaths. Twenty-two sufferers have so far died from the infection, which begins with flu-like symptoms and can lead to life-threatening inflammation of the respiratory tract. Researchers refer to the Coronavirus as Mers-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus), after it was initially called the scientific name hCoV-EMC. It is striking that especially men are affected by the infections.

WHO urges all countries to jointly fight the pathogen
„The new coronavirus is not a problem that can be solved by a single affected country on its own, "said Chan. The contagion cases that have occurred in Tunisia in Germany, France and the United Kingdom are very likely related to travel to the Middle East In March, a 73-year-old man from the United Arab Emirates in Munich died as a result of an infection with the coronavirus.

The competencies and strengths of all countries „need to be brought together to respond adequately to this threat. We need more information and we need it fast!“, added Chan. As already announced, „Joint WHO operations with Saudi Arabia and Tunisia will take place as soon as possible. The purpose is to gather all the facts to make an appropriate risk assessment.“

The WHO now assumes "a human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus". Both "family members of the sick and hospital staff had been infected". The exact way in which the transmission takes place is still unclear. Similarly, no adequate means has been developed to stop the virus. (Ag)

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New cases of coronavirus in Saudi Arabia

Picture credits: Gerd Altmann