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UK reports third case of novel coronavirus infection this month
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The World Health Organization has reported one more case of infection with the novel coronavirus in the United Kingdom, the third confirmed case this month. The case is in the same family cluster as the other two cases confirmed this month.
There have been 12 confirmed cases of human infection with novel coronavirus and there have been no change in the number of fatalities, five since April 2012.
The patient is a UK resident and a relative of another patient with the virus, announced earlier this month. The latest patient does not have any history of recent travel outside of the United Kingdom. The patient is currently recovering from mild respiratory illness.
Because this patient has no travel history, the infection was acquired in the United Kingdom, suggesting person-to-person transmission. However, the risk for person-to-person transmission is very low, according to the WHO report. The Health Protection Agency is following up on all close contacts who may have been exposed to the three recent cases.
WHO suggests that Member States continue their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections. Patients who have unexplained pneumonias or unexplained severe, progressive or complicated respiratory illness not responding to treatment should be tested for the coronavirus.
WHO requests that all probable and confirmed cases be reported within 24 hours.