World Health Organization: The new coronavirus is officially listed as a PHEIC, but it does not recommend restricting trade and travel with China

At 3:30 a.m. on January 31, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially announced that the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic was classified as a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)".

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out that this move is not a vote of no confidence in China, but is mainly for countries with weak health infrastructure. The WHO has always been very confident in China's ability to control the epidemic. Tedros also emphasized that he does not recommend a travel and trade ban on China.

The following is a statement by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee for Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV):

Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed the emergence of an unprecedented pathogen, which has now begun a full-scale outbreak, and the Chinese government has also launched an unprecedented response strategy.

As I have said repeatedly since I returned from Beijing, the coronavirus has had a severe social and economic impact on the Chinese people. On the other hand, the extraordinary measures taken by the Chinese government to contain the epidemic are very worthy of recognition.

If it weren't for the efforts of the Chinese government and the progress they have made in protecting their own people and the people of the world, we might have seen more tragic events and even deaths outside of China.

The speed with which China discovered the outbreak, isolated the virus, sequenced the genome, and shared information with the World Health Organization and the world is incredible, as is its transparency of information, support and commitment to other countries.

In fact, China is setting new standards for responding to the epidemic at many levels.

I would also like to express my deep respect for the thousands of health professionals and frontline responders who worked around the clock to save lives and control the epidemic during the Spring Festival. Globally, thanks to their efforts, the number of cases in other parts of the world has been relatively low so far.

Currently, there are 98 cases in 18 countries outside China, including 8 cases of human-to-human transmission in four countries: Germany, Japan, Vietnam and the United States.

So far, there have been no fatal cases outside of China, and we should all be grateful to China for its efforts in controlling the epidemic.

Although the numbers in other countries are still relatively small compared to the number of cases in China, we must act together now to limit the further spread of the epidemic.

The vast majority of cases outside of China have either recently traveled to Wuhan or have had contact with people who have traveled to Wuhan.

We cannot imagine or estimate the harm that would be caused if the epidemic spreads to countries with weaker health systems.

So we must act now to help countries prepare for this uncertainty.

For these reasons, I am announcing my decision to declare the outbreak of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Let me be clear: this decision is not a vote of no confidence in China, but is primarily based on the situation in other countries. What worries us most is that the virus may spread to countries with weaker health systems and are not adequate to deal with the virus.

On the contrary, WHO has always been confident in China's ability to control the epidemic.

As you all know, I met with President Xi Jinping in China a few days ago. I have no doubt about China's transparency and their commitment to protecting the people of the world.

To all the people in China and around the world who have been affected by this outbreak, we want you to know that the world is with you.

We are working with national and international public health partners to control this outbreak as quickly as possible.

There are currently 7,834 confirmed cases worldwide, including 7,736 in China, accounting for about 99% of all reported cases worldwide, and a total of 170 people have died.

We must remember that these are the people of the world, not numbers.

More important than declaring a public health emergency is the committee’s recommendations on preventing the spread of the virus and ensuring a measured, evidence-based response.

I would like to summarize the following suggestions in seven key areas:

First, there is no reason to take unnecessary measures that interfere with international travel and trade. WHO recommends against restrictions on trade and movement of people. We call on all countries to base their actions on evidence. WHO stands ready to provide advice to countries that are considering what measures to take.

Second, we must support countries with weak health systems.

3. Accelerate research on vaccines and treatments.

4. Crack down on the spread of rumors and false information.

5. Review preparedness plans to determine the resources needed and the amounts missing for isolation, care of cases, and prevention.

6. Share data, knowledge and experience with the World Health Organization and the world.

7. The only way we can defeat this epidemic is for all countries to work together in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation.

We need to be together to stop it.

This is a time to face reality, not a time to stand still in fear.

This is a time for science, not rumors.

This is a time for unity and progress, not a time for shame and retreat.