CHINA and the World Health Organization (WHO) will form a joint expert team to conduct in-depth discussions on and evaluations of the novel coronavirus epidemic and the containment, said a spokesperson with the National Health Commission (NHC) on Monday.
They will provide suggestions on joint prevention and control of the coronavirus outbreak to China and other affected countries in the next step, Mi Feng told a press conference in Beijing.
An advance team of the WHO is scheduled to arrive in Beijing Monday to discuss related arrangements with the Chinese side, Mi said.
"We welcome international experts including those from the United States to take part in the joint expert team," Mi said, adding that appropriate arrangements for the team will be made after thorough consultation and communication.
WHO warns overseas virus spread may be 'tip of the iceberg'
The head of the World Health Organization has warned that confirmed cases of coronavirus being transmitted by people who have never travelled to China could be the "tip of the iceberg”.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus's remarks come as members of a WHO-led "international expert mission" flew to China on Monday to help coordinate a response to the outbreak that has so far infected more than 40,000 people and killed 908 in the country.
"There've been some concerning instances of onward #2019nCoV spread from people with no travel history to (China)," Tedros tweeted Sunday, using the virus's provisional scientific name.
"The detection of a small number of cases may indicate more widespread transmission in other countries; in short, we may only be seeing the tip of the iceberg."
While the spread of the virus outside China appeared to be slow, Tedros warned it could accelerate.
"Containment remains our objective, but all countries must use the window of opportunity created by the containment strategy to prepare for the virus's possible arrival," he said.
Outside mainland China, there have been more than 350 infections reported in nearly 30 places. There have been two deaths, one in the Philippines and the other in Hong Kong.
Several countries have banned arrivals from China while major airlines have suspended flights, and Air China cancelled some of its flights to the United States.
The WHO-led mission to China is being headed up by Bruce Aylward, a veteran of previous health emergencies, Tedros said. Aylward oversaw the WHO's 2014- 2016 response to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa."
Novel coronavirus vaccine starts animal trials
A candidate vaccine targeting the novel coronavirus has been tested on animals, according to a report Monday on news portal yicai.com, citing sources with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The mRNA vaccine was co-developed by the CDC, Shanghai-based Tongji University School of Medicine and Stermirna Therapeutics Co., Ltd. The vaccine samples were injected into more than 100 mice Sunday, the report said.
This came just two weeks after the center successfully isolated the first new coronavirus strain on Jan. 24.
A CDC official warned that the animal testing is in a very early stage of vaccine development and there are still many steps to be taken before the vaccine is ready to be used on humans.
Testing on mice is only an initial screening of a candidate vaccine. After that there will be toxicity tests on larger animals such as monkeys to ensure the safety of the vaccine in human clinical trials, said the report, citing a researcher of Tongji University.
The development and production cycle of the mRNA vaccine is shorter than that of traditional vaccines.
A number of research institutes and companies around the world are stepping up efforts in developing vaccines and agents against the novel coronavirus.
Latest developments worldwide
Death toll tops 900. Prices soar as millions in China return to work. Britain warns of an "imminent threat". Here are the global developments in the coronavirus crisis over the past 24 hours.
910 dead
The death toll from the coronavirus reaches 908 in mainland China, with one death in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines. There have been 97 new deaths from the virus — with 91 in hardest-hit Hubei province.
The number of confirmed infections in China reaches 40,171, according to the National Health Commission.
The World Health Organization warns that while there are signs the epidemic is stabilising, there could be more infections abroad in people who have never travelled to China.
Slow return to work
After the extension of the annual Lunar New Year holiday, millions of people in China return to work, but the pick-up is only partial.
Tens of millions of people in Hubei province remain under lockdown and outside the quarantined region, many companies are limiting staff. Schools and universities across the country remain closed.
Soaring prices
Consumer prices in China rise 5.4 percent in January over one year, a record since the end of 2011. The spike in pork and fresh vegetables prices in particular push up costs.
Beijing reports a jump of more than 20 percent in food prices, due in part to the disruption of transportation and other lockdown measures, and people buying supplies in bulk.
'Imminent threat'
With four confirmed cases in Britain, the government warns the outbreak of the coronavirus is "a serious and imminent threat" and announces new measures to protect the public.
Anyone with the virus can now be forcibly quarantined if they are deemed to pose a public health threat.
Infections rise aboard cruise ship
Around 60 more people on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship off Japan's coast are diagnosed with the coronavirus, bringing the total infections to about 130.
The quarantine of all aboard — around 3,600 people, many elderly — started a week ago and could last until February 19. The WHO recommends psychological support measures for passengers.
Golf calendar in tatters
Golf's LPGA Tour cancels its HSBC Women's World Champions and the LPGA Thailand, capping off a trio of scrapped competitions in women's golf held in Asia.
REFERENCES AFP; Xinhua News Updates
