Health Alert: 2019 Novel Coronavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus named 2019-nCoV that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and which continues to expand. Chinese health officials have reported thousands of infections with 2019-nCoV in China, with the virus reportedly spreading from person-to-person in many parts of that country.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS and SARS.

Imported cases of 2019-nCoV infection in people have been detected in the U.S. No person-to-person spread has been detected with this virus at the time, and this virus is NOT currently spreading in the community in the United States.

The risk to individuals is dependent on exposure. At this time, some people will have an increased risk of infection, for example healthcare workers caring for 2019-nCoV patients and other close contacts. For the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus, the immediate health risk from 2019-nCoV is considered low.

CDC is closely monitoring this situation and is working with the Word Health Organization and state and local public health partners to respond to this emerging public health threat.

To report a suspected case or for additional guidance, call the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Disease Reporting Line at 303.692.2700 or Tri-County Health Department's Disease Reporting Line at 303.220.9200 and ask for communicable disease. For general questions, call COHELP at 303.389.1687 or 1.877.462.2911.