Nebraska Medicine calls response to coronavirus 'quicker, more transparent'

OMAHA, Neb. —
As airports around the world screen for a new coronavirus, and the U.S. reports its first case, infectious disease experts at Nebraska Medicine said the global response in stopping the spread has been swift.
"Overall, this response has been much quicker and much more open and transparent than what happened in 2003 with SARS," said Dr. James Lawler, co-director of the Global Center for Health Security. Lawler said the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak, which originated in China, took longer to identify. He said better detection, surveillance and tracking are in place worldwide when it comes to emerging illness.
Officials believe this latest coronavirus began in Wuhan, China, originating at a market.
"The original descriptions of this new coronavirus coming out of China appear to be linked to a food market where they had live animals that they would sell. So the hypothesis is there may an animal reservoir that is now transferring into humans," said Dr. Mark Rupp, an infectious disease specialist.
Rupp said this strain of coronavirus can cause lower respiratory issues and is spread by coughing and sneezing.
"These are a broad family of viruses that are actually named after their microscopic appearance. A corona, it looks like a crown," Rupp said.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said a man from Washington State visited that area and came home with the coronavirus. He's in good condition now but still in isolation at a Seattle hospital.
China reported more than 400 cases Tuesday night. Thailand, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan also reported cases, all appearing to originate in Wuhan.
"China is a very common travel destination both for business travelers as well as for people going on vacation," said Dr. Angela Hewlett, medical director for the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit.
The biocontainment unit gained global attention in treating ebola patients, and Hewlett said it is at the ready. However, these doctors said the coronavirus outbreak looks to be far less lethal.
Dr. Lawler said people in the United States should be more concerned about the flu.
"An average year, 30,000 Americans die of influenza. So we've had one detected case of this new coronavirus. So it's appropriate for folks to temper their alarm," Lawler said.
The United States is screening passengers coming from Wuhan at five airports.
The World Health Organization will meet in Geneva on Wednesday to determine whether to declare the new coronavirus a public health emergency.

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