Here at Travel Masters, we value the health and safety of our clients, especially in times when there is a very real threat presented like the Wuhan Virus. While the threat outside of select Chinese provinces is very low, here are a few facts for you to know before you consider travelling to China.

It is important to note first that the vast majority of cases of this virus are in and around the area where it began. The spread into other parts of Asia, Europe and the world is very low. The virus began in December 2019 and has been named for the city in began in; Wuhan, in the Hubei Province of China. The virus began in the Wuhan South China Seafood Wholesale Market and the Hua Nan Seafood Market. Both of these markets have since been shut down and contained. It is thought that the virus jumped from animals to humans due to poor sanitation conditions.

What is the Wuhan Virus? 

The Wuhan Virus is a coronavirus that causes respiratory illnesses (pneumonia). Symptoms of the Wuhan Virus include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. There is an absence of upper respiratory tract symptoms like runny nose, sneezing and sore throat and intestinal symptoms like diarrhea. Coronaviruses like the Wuhan are very dangerous for people who have weaker immune systems, such as young children, older adults and people with existing respiratory diseases.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has escalated its warning level to Level 2 which means travellers should be practicing special precautions, while the CDC has issued a Level 3 warning and recommends that travellers avoid all nonessential travel to China.

“The Public Health Agency of Canada is actively monitoring the situation and working with the WHO and other international partners to gather additional information. The situation is evolving rapidly. Please verify travel health recommendations regularly as they may change over the course of your travel as new information becomes available” – Government of Canada website

How to Protect Yourself If You Must Travel To China

  • Discuss your travel plans with your doctor. Older adults and those with existing health issues may be at risk for more severe disease.
  • Avoid all contact with sick people or people with persistent coughs.
  • Avoid animals, animal markets, and products that come from animals, especially uncooked meat.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

If You Have Been To China Recently and You Feel Ill 

  • Seek medical care right away. Call ahead and tell them about your recent travel, your symptoms and avoid contact with others.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

The Government of Canada has assured the public that the risk here is low and that at present there have been no deaths outside of the area where the virus began. Additionally, anyone who has contracted the virus and returned to Canada has been appropriately treated and is not endangering the public.

Questions? Concerns? Don’t hesitate to  contact us or any of our experience specialists and we’d be happy to help.

Contributor

Sean Mitchell

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