2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), Wuhan, China

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak caused by a novel (new) coronavirus in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Chinese authorities first identified the new coronavirus, which has resulted in about 200 confirmed human infections in China with three deaths reportedexternal icon. A number of countries, including the United States, are actively screening incoming travelers from Wuhan and exported cases have been confirmed in Thailand,external icon Japanexternal icon, and South Koreaexternal icon.Chinese health authorities posted the full genome of the so-called \u201c2019 novel coronavirus\u201d or \u201c2019-nCoV\u201d in GenBankexternal icon, the NIH genetic sequence database, and in the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAIDexternal icon) portal.Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people such as has been seen with MERS and SARS. Past MERS and SARS outbreaks have been complex, requiring comprehensive public health responses.Many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan, China have reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, suggesting limited person-to-person spread is occurring.There are ongoing investigations to learn more. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.CDC Response:\u2022 CDC is closely monitoring this situation and is working with WHO.\u2022 CDC established a 2019-nCoV Incident Management Structure on January 7, 2020.\u2022 CDC has updated its interim travel health notice for this destination to provide information to people who may be traveling to Wuhan City and who may get sick.\u2022 CDC began entry screening of passengers on direct and connecting flights from Wuhan China to the three main ports of entry in the United States on January 17, 2020.\u2022 CDC issued an updated interim Health Alert Notice (HAN) Advisory to inform state and local health departments and health care providers about this outbreak on January 17, 2020.\u2022 CDC has developed a Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test that can diagnose 2019-nCoV. Currently, testing for this virus must take place at CDC, but in the coming days and weeks, CDC will share these tests with domestic and international partners through the agency\u2019s International Reagent Resource.2020712