Travellers between China and the US are being screened for symptoms of a new and potentially deadly respiratory virus.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has told passengers arriving from China at Los Angeles, New York JFK and San Francisco – the three main ports of entry in the United States from the People’s Republic – that they may have their temperatures taken. 

They are also being asked to fill out a symptom questionnaire. Anyone with fever, a cough or breathing difficulties will have an additional health assessment.

Three people are believed to have died from a novel (new) coronavirus in China, known as 2019-nCoV. More than 200 others have been affected by it.

Dr Nick Phin, deputy director of the National Infection Service at Public Health England, said: “The risk to the UK population is very low.

“Based on the available evidence, the risk to travellers to Wuhan from this disease is low and we are not advising them to change their plans.

“In order to minimise the risk of transmission, people travelling to the area should maintain good hand and personal hygiene.

“Travellers should seek medical attention if they develop respiratory symptoms within 14 days of visiting Wuhan.”

He said anyone seeking treatment should tell the health service in advance about their recent travel to the city.

A CDC statement said: “Chinese health authorities have reported that many patients in China visited a large seafood and animal market.”

The market is the Wuhan South China Seafood City, which also sells chickens, bats and marmots. Chinese health officials closed the market at the start of the year for disinfection.

But CDC adds: “Some patients in the outbreak reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, suggesting that some limited person-to-person spread may be occurring.”

Cases have been reported in Thailand and Japan.

More cases are expected to emerge as travel increases ahead of Chinese New Year, which begins on 25 January 2020.

The World Health Organization warned: “Given the heavy population movements, expected to significantly increase during the Chinese New Year in the last week of January, the risk of cases being reported from elsewhere is increased.”

CDC said: “Given what has occurred previously with Mers and Sars, it’s likely that some limited person-to-person spread will continue to occur.”

Public Health England is also concerned about the risk of “bird flu” to British visitors to the People’s Republic.

Dr Phin said: “Avian influenza remains a risk in a number of parts of China and if travellers experience coughing or difficulty breathing within 14 days of returning from China, they should call their GP or NHS 111 and report their recent travel.”

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