On 31 December 2019, the WHO China Country Office was informed about cases of pneumonia of unknown cause, detected in Wuhan City, China. Subsequently, the Chinese authorities identified a new type of coronavirus, called novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). On 30 January 2020, WHO Director-General declared the outbreak of novel coronavirus – a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and humans. Once in humans, this 2019-nCoV has shown the capacity to transmit from human to human. Most common signs include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. In more severe patients, an infection can cause pneumonia and even fatal complications.

However, as on 11 February 2020, there are no suspected or confirmed cases of 2019 – nCoV in the country.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) in collaboration with the WHO Country Office for Timor-Leste is closely monitoring the situation and strengthening preparedness. WHO is also closely working with key institutions like the National hospital, National Health Laboratory (NHL) and Points of Entry authorities (Airport, Sea border and Land borders) among others. WHO has worked with the NHL to establish mechanisms to send samples for testing to the Victoria Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory in Melbourne, Australia.

The Ministry of Health with WHO’s support is also working proactively to stem any rumours and spread of misinformation by conducting national media workshop, and sensitization sessions for officials of all the ministries in the government at the central and municipal level.

WHO is also supporting the Ministry of Health in capacity building by conducting multiple workshops and refresher training for not only doctors but all health workers. The purpose of these workshops is to equip health workers and emergency responders with accurate technical information on 2019-nCoV, strengthen emergency preparedness and response and institute appropriate surveillance systems to detect cases and contacts. An important aspect of these trainings is to provide reliable and accurate information to dispel the many myths also currently circulating.

We are still in the early stages of understanding this new virus and the disease it causes. WHO is working closely with China to understand better the pathogenicity of the virus, the epidemiology and clinical spectrum of the disease, as well as the countermeasures to be implemented.

For more information on 2019-nCoV click here