China Will Admit International Experts to Help Contain Coronavirus Outbreak

“The coming days and weeks are likely to bring more cases, including the possibility of person-to-person spread,” he added. “Our goal is to contain this virus and prevent sustained spread of the virus in our country.”

The C.D.C. has already been screening arrivals from Wuhan, China — epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak — for symptoms of infection at five airports.

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But the agency also oversees a comprehensive quarantine system, including permanent quarantine stations at 20 airports and land border crossings that are staffed with medical officers who routinely screen ill passengers and decide whether they can enter the United States.

Those stations will be equipped and staffed to perform screenings specifically for the Wuhan coronavirus, officials said at the briefing.

“Americans should know this is a potentially very serious public health threat, but at this point Americans should not worry for their own safety,” Mr. Azar said. “This is a very fast-moving, constantly changing situation.”

American scientists are eager to review data that Chinese health officials have said indicates the virus may be transmitted from an infected individual to other people even before the patient shows symptoms.

So far, the C.D.C. has not been able to confirm that transmissions may occur while patients are asymptomatic, Dr. Redfield said.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/28/health/airports-screening-coronavirus.html?emc=rss&partner=rss