BiH closely monitors all information regarding the spread of coronavirus

SARAJevo, (Patria) - Regarding the emergence of the novel coronavirus, novel Coronavirus 2019-n_CoV, members of the Commission for the Implementation of International Health Regulations in BiH (International Health Regulations-IHR) are in daily contact with the World Health Organization (WHO), whose recommendations they promptly share with all levels of health authorities in BiH. From the first meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee held on January 23, 2020, the Commission for the Implementation of International Health Regulations in BiH was informed of the following information:

On January 23, representatives of the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China, Japan, Thailand, and the Republic of Korea updated their data, which shows that 557 cases have been confirmed by the time of this address.

The number of deaths in currently confirmed cases is 4% (17 out of 557). Of the confirmed cases, 25% are reported with severe symptoms. The source of transmission is still unknown (most likely animals are the reservoir) and the extent of human-to-human transmission is still not fully clear.

The WHO Emergency Committee considers it too early to declare a Public Health Event of International Concern (PHEIC), given its restrictive and binary nature.

In order to strengthen containment measures and mitigate the consequences of the epidemic, the World Health Organization has begun activities of a multidisciplinary mission that includes the presence of international and local experts. The World Health Organization will provide all necessary technical and operational support to respond to the epidemic, including its broad network of partners and partner institutions, in order to implement a comprehensive risk communication strategy and enable the advancement of research and scientific achievements related to the novel coronavirus.

Further international "exports" of cases are expected to occur in any country. Therefore, all countries should prepare for prevention, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and management of cases, contact tracing, and prevention of further spread of the coronavirus infection. Countries are required to exchange information with the World Health Organization in accordance with the International Health Regulations.

Knowing that this is a novel coronavirus, the global community will continue with activities of solidarity and mutual cooperation, with the aim of identifying the source of this new virus, its full potential for human-to-human transmission, preparedness for potential "import" of cases, and research for the development of necessary treatment.

The Commission for the Implementation of International Health Regulations in BiH consists of representatives from the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH, the Institute of Public Health of Republika Srpska, the Institute of Public Health of the Federation of BiH, and the Department for Health and Other Services of Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina.