The World Health Organization declares the Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency as the number of infections has soared to nearly 10,0000 worldwide.
State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says Louisiana doctors are screening for the virus, asking patients with cold or flu-like symptoms two questions.
“Have you traveled in the last two weeks to China, and then an additional question as well, have you been in contact with someone who had traveled to China,” says Welch.
There have been six confirmed cases so far in the USA.
The number of infected has increased tenfold in the last week and killed over 170 people. Welch says the WHO’s designation means it’s an outbreak everyone needs to keep their eyes on.
“It’s an extraordinary event that constitutes a risk to multiple countries and requires a coordinated response between countries,” says Welch.
More than 20 countries around the world have reported cases, but so far there have been no fatalities outside of China.
Welch says the general risk of infection for the ordinary Louisianan is pretty low right now, and most reported cases so far have not been severe.
“Most people who get the flu are going to do ok with it, so what we are trying to do is catch it so that people who are not going to be ok are not going to be exposed to it,” says Welch.
Those most at risk are the very young, the very old, and those with underlying health issues that make flu or cold-like infections more dangerous.
