The World Health Organization (WHO) has today (Jan. 30) declared the outbreak of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV in the People’s Republic of China a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

The Emergency Committee convened by the WHO Director-General under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) reported it agrees that the outbreak now meets the criteria for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and proposed advice to be issued as Temporary Recommendations.

“The Committee emphasized that the declaration of a PHEIC should be seen in the spirit of support and appreciation for China, its people, and the actions China has taken on the frontlines of this outbreak, with transparency, and, it is to be hoped, with success. In line with the need for global solidarity, the committee felt that a global coordinated effort is needed to enhance preparedness in other regions of the world that may need additional support for that,” the WHO stated.

“As this is a new coronavirus, and it has been previously shown that similar coronaviruses required substantial efforts to enable regular information sharing and research, the global community should continue to demonstrate solidarity and cooperation, in compliance with Article 44 of the IHR (2005), in supporting each other on the identification of the source of this new virus, its full potential for human-to-human transmission, preparedness for potential importation of cases, and research for developing necessary treatment.”

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