At least 17 people are dead and more than 500 have fallen ill from what began as a mysterious illness in Wuhan, China shortly before the new year. Now identified as the coronavirus, the deadly outbreak has officially made its way to the United States. The first case in the U.S. was confirmed on Tuesday in Washington state. The patient — a man in his 30s — had recently returned to the U.S. from Wuhan, arriving at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport on January 15th.
![virus]()
Passengers traveling to the U.S. from Wuhan will soon only be permitted to land at one of five selected airports, where they will be checked for symptoms such as fever, cough and trouble breathing. While the precaution may help in some capacity, passengers who’ve already contracted the virus may not show symptoms for up to a week after getting infected, so it’s not a guaranteed solution.
Symptoms of coronavirus may begin as shortness of breath, cough and fever, but in severe cases, the infection can lead to kidney failure, pneumonia and even death. The World Health Organization recommends avoiding contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness and using the same precautions you would during cold and flu season, such as washing your hands thoroughly and frequently, and avoiding contact with your eyes, nose and mouth.
A cousin of the SARS virus, scientists believe the coronavirus began in an animal, then spread to humans. As there has only been one case identified in the United States so far, health officials say the risk to the American public remains low. However, the coronavirus is a serious global health threat across China.
For tips on how to boost your immune system and avoid illness, read, “Top Tips to Boost Your Immunity.”