Coronavirus: three contaminations confirmed in France

While China is multiplying initiatives to try to halt the progression of the coronavirus, France has announced three confirmed cases of contamination, presented as the first in Europe. The three patients were placed in isolation in the hospital, two in Paris and one in Bordeaux. All have recently returned from China, the health ministry said.

Also read: Coronavirus: first two cases in Europe

France seeks to “circumscribe as soon as possible” the possible spread of contamination on its territory. “We must treat an epidemic as we treat a fire, very quickly locate the source,” said Minister of Health Agnès Buzyn. “An in-depth epidemiological investigation around these cases was immediately implemented. All the people who have been in close contact with these patients are being counted. They will receive specific instructions from the health authorities to avoid any contact, in order to limit the spread of the virus ”.

Precautions

The ministry reiterated, in particular for “people who have stayed in China recently”, the precautions to be taken in case of symptoms, fever and cough or breathing difficulties: call the medical emergency department reporting the symptoms and stay in China and do not go to your doctor or hospital emergency services, to avoid any potential contamination.

Also read: Chinese virus could become public health emergency of international concern

The epidemic, which appeared in December in China in the city of Wuhan is rapidly spreading in its country of origin, with 1,300 cases of contamination, including 41 deaths officially recorded on Saturday. The Chinese authorities are seeking to regain control, in particular by restricting movement. Wuhan and practically the entire surrounding province of Hubei were thus cut off from the world, with more than 56 million inhabitants confined.

First alert on December 31

As a reminder, the first alert was received by the World Health Organization on December 31, 2019. The Chinese authorities then warned of the emergence in the metropolis of Wuhan (11 million inhabitants, capital of the province of Hubei) of pneumonia of unknown origin. The virus is spotted in a wholesale seafood and fish market. Patient isolation measures are taken.

Also read: Hong Kong maximum virus alert

But the epidemic continues. On January 11, Chinese authorities reported the first death. A first case of contamination outside of China, in Thailand, was reported two days later. Cases are then recorded elsewhere in Asia (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan).

On four continents

The virus is now present on four continents. Australia for its part reported this Saturday of four patients, people recently returned from China. A second case has been confirmed in the United States.

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