Is it safe to travel? 

CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China.

There is an ongoing outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that can be spread from person to person.

Chinese officials have closed transport within and out of Wuhan and other cities in Hubei province, including buses, subways, trains, and the international airport. Other locations may be affected. 

Older adults and people with underlying health conditions may be at increased risk for severe disease. 

The situation is evolving. This notice will be updated as more information becomes available. 

What is the current situation? 

Ministry of Health and Wellness recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China and other affected areas. In response to an outbreak of respiratory illness, Chinese officials have closed transport within and out of Wuhan and other cities in Hubei province, including buses, subways, trains, and the international airport.  Additional restric tions a nd cancellations of events may occur.

There is limited access to adequate medical care in affected areas 

How do I care for a person who has been confined to home? 

·         Separate the person from others, keeping them at least 1 metre in distance from others.

·         Have the person wear a mask for the period of home-monitoring.

·         Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after each contact with them.

·         Improve the air flow where the person stays. Use doors and windows to take advantage of breezes.

·         Keep the environment clean with readily available household cleaning agents.

·         Clean contact areas such as countertops, door handles, bathrooms, light switches, landline phone with a diluted bleach solution (1 part 5.25% bleach to 9 parts water).

What should I do if I need medical attention?  

·         Contact your doctor or healthcare provider before travelling to a health facility, and report your symptoms. Explain why you think you have 2019-nCoV (if you have recently travelled to a country where there is an outbreak in humans). Follow the advice given to you.

·         If it is not possible to contact your healthcare provider in advance, communicate your suspicion of infection as soon as you arrive at the facility.

·         Cover your nose and mouth during travel with a mask where possible. 

When should urgent medical attention be sought?  

     If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

     In Children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

Are some people more at risk?

W.H.O. recommends that everyone take precautions to prevent the spread of infection. 

Are there any special recommendations for pregnant women?

Yes, they are vulnerable. Like everyone, they should take all the necessary precautions. 

Am I at risk for novel coronavirus from a package or products shipping from China? 

There is still a lot that is unknown about the newly emerged 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and how it spreads. Two other coronaviruses have emerged previously to cause severe illness in people (MERS and SARS). 2019-nCoV is more genetically related to SARS than MERS, but both are betacoronaviruses with their origins in bats. While we don’t know for sure that this virus will behave the same way as SARS and MERS, we can use the information from both of these earlier coronaviruses to guide us. In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets. Currently there is no evidence to support transmission of 2019-nCoV associated with imported goods.

What about animals or animal products imported from China? 

CDC does not have any evidence to suggest that animals or animal products imported from China pose a risk for spreading 2019-nCoV in the United States. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.

Should I be concerned about pets or other animals and 2019-nCoV? 

While this virus seems to have emerged from an animal source, it is now spreading from person-to-person. CDC recommends that people traveling to China avoid animals both live and dead, but there is no reason to think that any animals or pets in Barbados might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus.

Should I avoid contact with pets or other animals if I am sick? 

Do not handle pets or other animals while sick. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with 2019-nCoV, several types of coronaviruses can cause illness in animals and spread between animals and people. Until we know more, avoid contact with animals and wear a facemask if you must be around animals or care for a pet. 

What if I was in contact with someone who went to China?

Call your healthcare provider.

Adapted from CDC 2019-nCoV 

 Frequently Asked Questions

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

January 2020