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Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (Update 5)

31 January 2020

The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), originating in Wuhan City, Hubei province, has been reported from all regions of China and has also been detected in 18 countries around the world.

On the 30th January 2020 the World Health Organization declared the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in order to strengthened international measures to contain the spread of 2019-nCoV.

As of 30th January 2020 the 10th World Health Organization Situation Report reported 7818 cases have been confirmed globally, of which 7736 have been confirmed in China, leading to 170 deaths. Outside of China, 82 cases have been confirmed in 18 countries. Only 7 of these had no history of travel in China.

On the 31st January 2020 2 cases have been confirmed in the UK. Further information is available from Public Health England

This is a new and rapidly evolving situation where information on cases and the virus is being gathered and assessed daily.

Advice to Travellers

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) currently advise against all travel to Hubei Province and all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China (not including Hong Kong and Macao).

FCO travel advisories are subject to change, prior to travel please check the FCO countries or territories pages for the latest advice:

Travellers to countries reporting cases of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) should follow local public health advice.

Information on novel coronavirus is available on TRAVAX for travel healthcare practitioners and fitfortravel for the travelling public.

Advice to Healthcare Practitioners

There remains a risk of imported cases to the UK. Health professionals should remain vigilant for symptomatic individuals who may have 2019-nCoV infection.

Guidance on testing as well as a range of other resource materials are available from:

Scotland; Health Protection Scotland has produced a range of guidance and resource materials available via this link HPS website

England, Wales and NI; Public Health England has produced guidance and resource materials available via this link PHE website