There's a good chance the London area will see patients with a new coronavirus in the coming weeks, but health officials say they'll be ready.
The Ontario Ministry of Health has confirmed one case of the illness and announced a second presumed case. The confirmed case involves a man in his 50s who recently travelled to China. He is in a Toronto hospital. The presumed case involves the man's wife.
Middlesex London Health Unit CEO and Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie said, for now, local health officials are keeping a close eye on the spread of the virus, which has now claimed over 80 lives in China.
"At this point, the risk in our region remains low. We have had no cases here," Dr. Mackie said. "We are monitoring closely and connecting with populations that may be travelling to China, such as international students. Our health care system is aware of the issue and watching it carefully. We are well prepared."
The coronavirus outbreak comes 17 years after an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome killed over 700 people, including 44 in Canada. Dr. Mackie said there are several parallels with what is happening now and what happened in 2003. He says the lessons of SARS are playing a huge role in Canada's preparations for a possible coronavirus outbreak. He says the health care system is very well prepared because of what was learned during the SARS outbreak.
"There are two really important parts of this. First of all, outside of the health care system, and where we are reaching out to people who may be travelling to and from China and ensuring that if they have a fever and have travelled to China that they stay home and call the Middlesex London Health Unit," he said. "Second, within the health care system, it's really about making sure staff have the equipment, supplies, and training to protect themselves and make sure clients aren't putting other clients or staff at risk."
Mackie added that regular hand washing is crucial, as is the need to cough into your sleeve. He said anyone who has a fever should not be going out into the community, but should stay home and recover.
According to Dr. Mackie, the coronavirus is affecting people of all ages in China. However, it's important to remember that people with underlying health issues, as well as the elderly, are more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses. He said this virus can be spread through close contact.
"This is something that's called droplet spread. So, it doesn't spread across a room or through vents," he said. "It goes within a cough radius of one to two metres. You can pick it up by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your face or mucous membrane."
