Category: Health

Possible case of coronavirus strain reported in Lawrence area

A possible case of the 2019 novel coronavirus has been reported in a Lawrence area resident, according to a news release from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

A Douglas County resident is currently in isolation at a Lawrence hospital as a precaution, health authorities announced.

The patient, who is not severely ill, traveled to Wuhan City, China, and returned to the United States within the last two weeks, authorities stated.

There is an outbreak of the novel coronavirus strain in Wuhan.

The patient had symptoms in recent days and sought health care on Monday, according to the KDHE. However, the person has not been diagnosed with 2019 novel coronavirus. Specimens are being sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and KDHE expects to receive results later this week, according to a spokesman.

“While we have not confirmed this as a case of the 2019 novel coronavirus, we believe it is important to keep the public informed and educated on this new virus,” the KDHE spokesman stated in the news release.

The KDHE is working with the CDC, Lawrence Memorial Health, and the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department to identify and contact all of those who may have had contact with the individual, so they can begin monitoring them for fever and respiratory symptoms if this is a confirmed case, according to the spokesman.

The 2019 novel coronavirus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the KDHE. Symptoms are thought to appear within two to 14 days after exposure and consist of fever, cough, runny nose and difficulty breathing.

Those considered at risk for contracting the virus are individuals with travel to Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, or individuals in close contact with a person infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus.

The KDHE spokesman stated that the flu and other respiratory diseases are circulating in the state. The KDHE is recommending everyone get a flu shot and follow basic prevention guidelines.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and staying home when sick, according to the KDHE.

The best ways to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Anyone who has recently traveled to Wuhan, China, and has developed fever with respiratory symptoms within 14 days of their travel or have had contact with someone who is suspected to have 2019 novel coronavirus, should stay home and call their health care provider. They also may call the KDHE epidemiology hotline at 1-877=427-7317 if they believe they may have been affected.

Kansas health officials offer advice about new coronavirus strain

With one reported case of a new strain of coronavirus in Seattle and one case in Illinois, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is offering information for residents regarding the new virus.

The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was first found in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and authorities believe the risk to the public in Kansas is low.

“This new strain of coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE secretary, said. “If you have been to Wuhan, China, in recent weeks or have been around someone who has, and are displaying influenza-like symptoms, please call your health care provider.”


Chinese authorities identified the new coronavirus in December 2019 which has since resulted in hundreds of confirmed cases in China, including cases outside Wuhan City, with additional cases identified in a growing number of other countries. The first case in the United States was announced Jan. 21 in Seattle, Washington, and a second case was reported Jan. 24 in Chicago, Illinois.

To help you protect yourself, KDHE encourages you to:

• Recognize the symptoms of illness and understand how it is transmitted.
• Seek care if you have recently traveled within the affected region and are experiencing these symptoms (below).
• Always practice good hygiene, wash hands, cover coughs and sneezes and avoid sharing food, cups or utensils.
• Follow CDC Travel Guidance if you have or are planning to travel to China.

Symptoms
Symptoms can include a fever and respiratory symptoms such as cough or difficulty breathing, similar to what you may feel with influenza or a bad cold. Symptoms usually start within 14 days of an exposure. Transmission of this illness is believed to be person-to-person or animal-to-person. It cannot be transmitted from inanimate objects (such as items or packages purchased from China).

Seek care
 Anyone who has traveled from Wuhan City, China or has been in contact with someone who is ill from Wuhan City, China, within the last 14 days and is experiencing a respiratory illness should immediately call their health care provider.

Those who have not recently visited China but are experiencing influenza-like illness, with fever greater than 100.3, and symptoms, including cough, body aches, severe sore throat or runny nose, should consider seeking medical attention for the possibility of the flu, especially if symptoms worsen. Please contact your health care provider.

Flu shots
 While the flu shot cannot protect from this novel coronavirus, the KDHE is recommending that everyone (6 months of age or older) and especially those who travel receive a flu vaccination. With the current seasonal influenza activity, there may be confusion as persons with influenza will exhibit similar signs and symptoms such as fever and cough.

Information for international travelers
 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidance for those planning to travel to China. It is important that all travelers adhere to these precautions in order to protect the health and safety of communities. For additional information about coronavirus, including signs and symptoms, transmission and risk of exposure, and what to do if you are exhibiting symptoms, please refer to the CDC website.

“It’s important to note that four types of human coronavirus are common in the U.S.,” Dr. Norman said. “These types of coronaviruses can be detected on respiratory virus panels that are commonly performed at many hospitals and clinical laboratories. Sometimes coronaviruses that infect animals can evolve and make people sick and become a new human coronavirus. An example of this is this newly identified 2019-nCoV. This coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, is not detected on the respiratory virus panels commonly used in the United States and can only be tested for at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at this time.”

The University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, Kansas, also recently announced its health care workers are undergoing training on how to handle a severe infectious disease, including how to protect themselves and the patient.

The most important prevention is good handwashing measures, and being aware anytime your hands touch your nose or mouth, according to doctors at KU.

For updated information on the outbreak, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Cheering at a Chiefs’ pep rally

Mascot KC Wolf, right, led the cheers at a Chiefs’ pep rally Thursday at the University of Kansas Health System, Battenfeld Auditorium, Kansas City, Kansas. Mitch Holthus, the voice of the Chiefs, appeared with former Chiefs stars Jan Stenerud and Shawn Barber, and Chiefs Ambassadors at the pep rally. KU Health System is the official health care provider for the Chiefs, who will play in the Super Bowl on Feb. 2 in Miami, Florida. (Photo from University of Kansas Health System)