The World Health Organization, Reuters reports, has just declared that the coronavirus epidemic in China it now constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, announced the decision after a meeting of its emergency committee, an independent group of experts, after evidence that the virus has spread to about 18 countries with 98 confirmed cases. Eight cases outside China have spread among humans in Germany, Japan, Vietnam and the US. There are currently no deaths outside China. Despite the numbers of cases, the WHO has not issued the procedure relating to restrictions on travel between continents.
The dead went from 106 to 171, the infections confirmed from 2.835 two days ago to 8137 today, with another 10 thousand suspected cases. For reference, Sars affected 8.098 people worldwide, resulting in 774 deaths. It is the biggest leap in numbers since the start of the crisis, but also a predictable acceleration. According to the Chinese Health Commission, mortality is below 3% but the contagion capacity is much higher than normal, than expected. The same commission explained that it is very difficult to contain the coronavirus despite the health barrier built around Wuhan.
Measurements in Italy
"We are following things with great attention, we are in constant connection with all international organizations, starting with the World Health Organization. Yesterday, the deputy director of the WHO participated in our task force, which meets from January 22nd every day at the ministry to make a point. We are keeping the threshold of attention high, we are to avoid alarmism, but there is the utmost caution on the part of national institutions". So the Minister of Health Roberto Speranza about the new coronavirus. "There is a need for maximum international and even inter-institutional confrontation. I asked for a meeting of all EU health ministers, both from the European Commissioner and the rotating presidency which is Croatian. "No country can do it alone. We are in constant connection with the WHO. We do not need alarmism but attention and we need to strengthen institutional monitoring even more"Concluded Hope.
In addition to the daily meetings of the task force of experts set up by the Ministry of Health, coordination with the Regions, and the strengthening of the toll-free number 1500, on all aircraft coming from China at the airports of Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa there will be targeted health checks, with the «passenger temperature controlSaid the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, Giuseppe Ruocco. He also added that thirty more units were enrolled among doctors and nurses. "We are guaranteeing permanent staff 24 hours a day 24 doctors and as many nurses in Fiumicino and 16 doctors and as many nurses in Malpensa are scheduled».
The Farnesina is organizing the repatriation of 59 Italians (from 8 different regions) residing in Wuhan. While traveling they will all use the mask. "We are just waiting for the ok from the Chinese authorities», Explained Stefano Verrecchia, the head of the crisis unit of the Farnesina. Italians in China obviously there are more than 59, the Deputy Minister of Health, Pierpaolo Sileri (M5S) yesterday told Radio Radio microphones, «but someone is married to a Chinese person who cannot leave, so they will stay in China».
Only those who will not have already contracted the virus after taking the medical check-up on board will be able to take flight. Once in Italy, they will be placed in quarantine for 14 days (the maximum incubation period) probably in a military facility, where they will spend (in isolation from each other) the period of health surveillance. Home surveillance would be complicated. For "family or personal" reasons, moreover, only in 3-4 cases the Italians residing in Wuhan are considering the possibility of not taking the return flight.
Transport to Italy is handled directly by the Defense Staff through the COI (Operational Command of Vertice Interforze). The Air Force has an exclusive capability in the sector: its transport aircraft are the unique in the world, together with Great Britain and the USA a have a very special ability, safe air transport in bio-containment. A capacity offered byair Force which since 2006 has started a series of courses and exercises with the Spallanzani hospitals in Rome and Sacco in Milan. The air transport activity with bio-containment structure is one of the excellence of our military aviation, little known and which should instead be a reason for pride and above all gratitude for those who in the past thought and then implemented an indispensable ability , which has become necessary today.
In the meantime, the United States, France and Russia are preparing to take away thousands of compatriots from Wuhan, where in the hospitals in the last few hours there are long queues - even of people who do not wear masks - and lack of beds. While in the street the loudspeakers continuously send the message: "Don't spread rumors! If you feel bad, go to the hospital immediately!»
British Airways has announced that it has canceled all airline flights on the England-China route.