This is after the World Health Organization (WHO) and Chinese authorities confirmed that a new coronavirus causing pneumonia, which was first detected in the city of Wuhan, central China, can be passed between humans.
The virus has caused the death of nine people. More than 400 are now infected, and cases have also been identified in Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, as well as the United States. Potential cases have also been reported in Australia.
The coronavirus is reported to be similar to SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome which caused near on 800 deaths in a pandemic in Asia between 2002 and 2003). Wuhan authorities have now announced measures to help contain the spread of the virus, including cancellation of Lunar New Year celebrations, which had been expected to attract hundreds of thousands of people.
Poland's Chief Sanitary Inspector Jarosław Pinkas told public broadcaster Polish Radio on Tuesday that the country's services are set to "respond adequately to the developing situation" and appealed for calm.
He added that currently there are no special recommendations for travellers but that this could change. "We are raising awareness among the cabin crews of our airlines to take note of anyone running a fever, however at this moment there is no cause for panic," he said.
The World Health Organisation is holding an emergency meeting in Geneva on Wednesday to decide “whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, and what recommendations should be made to manage it.”
(ek/jh)
Source: IAR/news.un.org