Wisconsin Reports First Case of Wuhan Coronavirus
Posted on February 5, 2020
Wisconsin has reported its first case of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The CDC confirmed the case. The patient is an adult with a history of travel to Beijing, China.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says in a statement, "The patient is an adult with a history of travel to Beijing, China prior to becoming ill and was exposed to known cases while in China. The individual is isolated at home, and is doing well. Out of respect for the privacy of the patient and their household, this is the only information that is available."
State Health Officer Jeanne Ayers says, "DHS is operating with an abundance of caution and is working very closely with the local health department and UW Hospital and Clinics to ensure that this patient and any close contacts are closely monitored. The risk of getting sick from 2019 novel coronavirus in Wisconsin is very low. We are responding aggressively to the situation and monitoring all developments. We are committed to keeping the public fully informed and will continue to provide updates as this situation unfolds."
The Beijing travel history is interesting because it is outside Hubei province, which includes the city of Wuahn and is the epicenter for the virus. Beijing has recorded about 250 cases to date.
The Wisconsin DHS currently lists two other cases as pending on its Outbreaks page. There is a similar page on the CDC site that lists 76 cases pending - or 76 specimens that have yet to be tested. The Wisconsin case is the 12th in the U.S. There are over 23,000 cases worldwide with nearly 500 deaths.