Headlines - Surveillance of Infections Linked to the Novel Coronavirus (NCoV)

The French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) has released an update as of February 20, 2013, on the surveillance of infections linked to the novel coronavirus (NCoV). Since surveillance began, 7 patients reported to the InVS (exhibiting signs of acute respiratory infection following a stay in the affected area) have been tested since October 1, 2012; they tested negative for the coronavirus.

As of February 20, 2013: 12 confirmed cases of respiratory infections linked to the novel coronavirus have been identified worldwide, of which 6 have died. The latest epidemiological data strongly suggest the existence of human-to-human transmission of the infection, without, however, indicating significant community-based human-to-human transmission.

The detection of potential hospitalized cases involves all individuals who have traveled to or stayed in geographic areas considered at risk and who exhibit signs of severe acute respiratory infection within 10 days of returning from the exposure area (link: http://www.invs.sante.fr/fr/Actualites/News/Surveillance-of-infections-related-to-the-novel-coronavirus-NCoV-.-Update-as-of-February-20, 2013) and their contacts exhibiting signs of acute respiratory infection. The affected geographic areas are available on the ECDC website. Furthermore, clusters of severe acute respiratory infections, with or without a history of travel to a risk area, must be reported and investigated.