WHO Says Wuhan Virus Yet To Be Global Health Emergency
WUHAN VIRUS – According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Wuhan Coronavirus is yet to become a global health emergency.
Following the outbreak of the virus that had already took 25 lives and infected more than 800 others, WHO was deciding on whether or not to declare the virus a global emergency.
Based on a report from ABCNEWS, the United Nations health agency stated that the decision was made after independent experts assessed information regarding the new coronavirus.
What is a global health emergency?
According to WHO, a global emergency is one that could be considered as an “extraordinary event” that poses a risk to other countries.
These sorts of events would require a coordinated international response. A declaration of this would bring in greater funds for resources but may restrict international travel.
Previous global emergencies have been declared for the Zika virus, swine flu, and polio. However, declaring such an event could also cause political fraught.
As per the report, when WHO made its last emergency declaration in July for the Ebola outbreak in Congo, the Congolese health minister resisted the characterization.
He suggested the decision was made to grab more funds for “certain humanitarian actors”.
Meanwhile, in lieu of the outbreak, China has decided to cancel major events included in the Lunar New Year Holiday Celebrations.
These celebrations have been a staple in China for many years. This would mean that the once-bustling streets of 11 million people would be quiet.
Outbound public transportation from Wuhan was also ordered to be shut down in efforts of containing the virus outbreak.
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