Fears deadly virus will rise as millions of Chinese on move
FOUR cases of potential novel human coronavirus are under investigation in Australia but it’s rapid spread overseas is causing plenty of concern particularly for those with friends and family in China.
Councillor Kun Huang, one of more than 27,000 of Chinese ancestry living in Cumberland, said people affected by the outbreak have contacted him through social media channel WeChat, with friends and relatives in China saying the situation is “really bad”.
“Especially because it’s the Lunar New Year period when so many people are travelling around in China. It’s a time when families normally reunite and celebrate,” he said.
However he said while it was a good idea to be cautious, there was no reason for concern here in Sydney at the moment and urged people to take “normal good hygiene precautions”.
NSW Health has made coronavirus a notifiable disease, and director of health protection, Dr Jeremy McAnulty also urged people to practise simple hygiene by coughing or sneezing into a tissue or their elbow and washing their hands thoroughly.
On Thursday, NSW Health staff joined Commonwealth Biosecurity staff at Sydney Airport to monitor travellers flying in from Wuhan, just as that city was locked down by the Chinese Government in an effort to contain the virus.
Dr McAnulty said it could take up two weeks to develop symptoms, which included a fever and respiratory symptoms such as a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath.
“There is no need for alarm, but people should be aware of the emerging situation and if they develop symptoms on returning from affected areas overseas, they should call ahead before seeing their GP,” he said.
