Novel coronavirus spreads in US as WHO declares global emergency

Enlarge / World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus speaks during a press conference following a WHO Emergency committee to discuss whether the Coronavirus, the SARS-like virus, outbreak that began in China constitutes an international health emergency, on January 30, 2020 in Geneva. (credit: Getty | AFP)

The World Health Organization announced today, January 30, that the outbreak of respiratory disease from the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in China constitutes a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)."

PHEICs are declared in extraordinary situations, such as when public health is threatened by an infectious disease that could spread internationally and requires international responses and collaboration to address. The declaration prompts additional international support efforts and releases financial resources.

In a press conference today, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (who goes by Dr. Tedros) praised China for its response efforts to the outbreak so far. The country's efforts and commitment to transparency is "very impressive," he said.

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