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Virus outbreak not pandemic yet, WHO says

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2020-02-25 18:10:11China Daily Global Editor : Li Yan ECNS App Download
Special: Battle Against Novel Coronavirus

The World Health Organization warned on Monday against using the word "pandemic" to describe the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia, or COVID-19, saying the word does not yet fit the facts and may cause fear.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there is a lot of speculation about whether the increase in the number of cases outside China means the epidemic has already become a pandemic.

By Monday, the WHO had received reports of 2,074 COVID-19 cases in 28 countries other than China, and 23 deaths.

Tedros described the sudden increase in the number of cases in Italy, Iran, and South Korea as "deeply concerning".

He also said the WHO-China joint mission travelled to several parts of China, including Wuhan, to deliver the key findings. The team has made a range of findings about the transmissibility of the virus, the severity of disease and the impact of the measures taken.

They found that the epidemic peaked and plateaued between Jan 23 and Feb 2, and has been declining steadily since then, he added.

The WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern at the end of January, which it says is its highest level of alarm.

Tedros explained that the WHO's decision about whether to use the word "pandemic" to describe an epidemic is based on an ongoing assessment of the geographical spread of a virus, the severity of the disease it causes, and the impact it is having on the whole of society.

"For the moment, we are not witnessing the uncontained global spread of this coronavirus, and we are not witnessing large-scale severe diseases or death," he said at the Monday press briefing.

"Does this virus have pandemic potential? Absolutely. Are we there yet? From our assessment, not yet," he added.

Tedros said the human race is currently seeing epidemics in different parts of the world that are affecting countries in different ways and that require a tailored response.

"Using the word 'pandemic' now does not fit the facts, but it may certainly cause fear," he said.

The WHO chief emphasized that people should focus on containment, while doing everything they can to prepare for a potential pandemic.

Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO's Health Emergencies Program, echoed the view. He said the WHO still does not understand the absolute transmission dynamics of COVID-19.

"But in declaring something a pandemic; it is too early. We are still trying to avoid that reality, we are still trying to avoid that eventuality," Ryan said.

He emphasized that now is still the time to prepare.

"So, we are in a phase of preparedness for a potential pandemic," he said, adding that countries are having success in doing that, clearly referring to the continued decrease in the number of new cases in China.

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