Coronavirus: Govt ready to monitor all China flights as precaution

Passengers will be checked for symptoms and provided leaflets, available in Mandarin and Cantonese, with information on what to do in the event they do become ill. These leaflets will be made available across all UK airports.

The DoH and PHE further stated monitoring of direct flights would be kept under continuous review, and could be expanded to other Chinese departure points if necessary should the infection spread further in China.

“The risk to the UK population has been assessed as low, based on the emerging evidence regarding case numbers, potential sources and human to human transmission,” said the DoH and PHE. “This has been raised from very low due to evidence on the likelihood of cases being imported into this country. There are no confirmed cases of this new infection in the UK.”

China’s National Health Commission confirmed on Monday (20 January) the infection could pass from human to human after examining two cases in Guangdong province.

Cases have been confirmed in Japan, the US, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong, while several nations have introduced additional screening measures including the US in three major cities, as well as Australia, Singapore and Japan.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is due to meet on Wednesday (22 January) to decide whether to declare an international public health emergency, which would demand a global response.

’Rapidly evolving situation’

Dr Nick Phin, deputy director of PHE’s National Infection Service, said: “This is a new and rapidly evolving situation where information on cases and the virus is being gathered and assessed daily.

“Based on the available evidence, the current risk to the UK is considered low. We are working with the WHO and other international partners, who have issued advice to the NHS and are keeping the situation under constant review.

“If you are travelling to Wuhan, you should maintain good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene, and should avoid visiting animal and bird markets or people who are ill with respiratory symptoms.

“Individuals should seek medical attention if they develop respiratory symptoms within 14 days of visiting Wuhan, either in China or on their return to the UK. They should phone ahead before attending any health services and mention their recent travel to the city.”