Global Virus Network (GVN) Statement on New Strain of Coronavirus Infection in Wuhan, China

Global Virus Network (GVN) Statement on New Strain of Coronavirus Infection in Wuhan, China

Baltimore, Maryland, USA, January, 10, 2020: In light of the recent pandemics emerging from China including the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, and the 2013 outbreak of H7N9, an influenza virus that jumped from birds to humans, the Global Viruses Network (GVN) will stand by China and relevant international organizations to support efforts to mitigate the new strain of coronavirus detected in Wuhan, China.

The new type of coronavirus isolated in Wuhan, China derived from one viral pneumonia patient with clear coronavirus morphology under electron microscopy. Further, nucleic acid of the coronavirus was detected from 15 such patients. Full genome sequence of the coronavirus was also obtained.  More information in Chinese can be found here: China CDC

By January 5th 2020, 59 patients with viral pneumonia were found, with seven severe cases.  Most of the patients are in stable condition after treatment. Eight patients have been cured and discharged from hospital since January 8th. No clear source of this new coronavirus has been discovered.

Importantly, unlike the SARS outbreak, there is no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission, including patient-to-medical professional transmission.  More information in Chinese can be found here:  China Guangming webnews with information from Wuhan Health Bureau

GVN will carefully follow up on the information from China, including the origin of the virus, diagnostic and therapeutic options, and disease progression, among other important findings. GVN’s experts stand ready to contribute to the containment of this new, emerging virus through its international network of laboratories and collective knowledge.

About the Global Virus Network (GVN)

The Global Virus Network (GVN) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, comprised of leading medical virologists from 32 countries. The GVN’s mission is to combat current and emerging pandemic viral threats through international collaborative research, training the next generation of medical virologists, and advocacy. For more information, please visit www.gvn.org. Follow us on Twitter @GlobalVirusNews