The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a global emergency on
coronavirus as the death toll from the disease has risen to 170 in
China.
WHO made the declaration on Thursday, saying the disease now
represents a risk beyond China, where it emerged last month.
In a series of tweets, Tedros Ghebreyesus, director general of WHO,
said more damage could be done to countries with weaker health
systems.
“We don’t know what sort of damage this #2019nCoV virus could do if it
were to spread in a country with a weaker health system. We must act
now to help countries prepare for that possibility,” one of the tweets
read.
“For all of these reasons, I am declaring a public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of #2019nCoV.
“The main reason for this declaration is not because of what is happening in #China, but because of what is happening in other
countries.
“Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems, and which are ill-prepared to deal with it.”
The Cable
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