Pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan city, China

Published: January 9, 2020

Summary
As of 5 January 2020 and since the first report on 31 December 2019, 59 cases with no deaths associated of pneumonia of unknown aetiology were reported in Wuhan city, China. Further investigations could identify 163 close contacts. The official press agency of China confirmed on 9 January that a novel coronavirus was the causative agent for 15 of the cases reported in Wuhan, China.

Event background

• On 31 December 2019, the Wuhan Municipal Health and Health Commission informed about a cluster of 27 pneumonia cases, including seven severe cases, with a common exposure in Wuhan’s South China Seafood City market.
• According to Chinese authorities, no human to human transmission could be documented. No cases among health care workers have been reported.

Assessment

• More information on the aetiology of these cases is needed in order to properly assess this event and the possible risk for the international spread. According to Chinese authorities, no human to human transmission has been proved and environmental sanitation of the involved food market is ongoing.
• WHO recommends no restrictions in travel to or trade with China.

Further information is available from the WHO.