Transcript
The U.S. has confirmed its first case of the Wuhan coronavirus, the potentially deadly virus that appeared in China last month.
And in China at least nine people are dead and more than 400 affected.
The U.S. patient, who is an unnamed male, recently traveled to China and returned to Washington.
He is currently in isolation at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington.
Officials are compiling a list of people the patient may have had contact with since his return.
The disease has also spread to Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
The disease, which causes pneumonia-like symptoms and does not respond to anti-biotics, can spread person to person.
Officials worry that air travel can help spread the disease, especially with large amount of people traveling to and from China to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has activated its emergency response system and has advised authorities to step up airport health screenings.
Health officials in China have been given the power to lock down affected areas and quarantine patients.
The United Nations’ World Health Organization is holding an emergency meeting today (Wednesday) regarding the Wuhan coronavirus.
Officials there will determine whether a public health emergency is needed.
Posted 1.22.20