Epidemiological update: Case of severe lower respiratory tract disease associated with a novel coronavirusArchived

On 13 February 2013, the HPA announced that one family contact of the previously-confirmed case reported on 11 February was laboratory-confirmed to be infected with the novel coronavirus (NCoV). This second case from the same family was hospitalised on 9 February with a short history of respiratory symptoms. The patient has an existing medical condition that may make him more susceptible to respiratory infections. He does not have a recent travel history, and is currently receiving intensive care treatment.

The cases have been notified through the EU alerting system for communicable diseases.

This brings the total of laboratory-confirmed cases of severe pneumonia caused by the NCoV to eleven globally (see table below).

The information available suggests human-to-human transmission of the NCoV in this family cluster.

The HPA reports that surveillance of family, close contacts of the two patients and healthcare workers treating the two patients is ongoing, as per the UK National Guidelines. None are currently presenting with symptoms consistent with nCoV.

The HPA is also following-up regarding passengers who may have been exposed while flying with the case announced on 11 February 2013 and are in contact with the airline concerned.

In light of this human-to-human transmission of the NCoV within the family cluster, ECDC is now updating its risk assessment, previously published on 7 December 2012.

Erratum. The following table was amended on 19 February 2013.