Fort Bend County Health & Human Services, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Texas Department of State Health Services and other public health officials, continues to monitor an outbreak caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (2019-nCoV) first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
DSHS reports no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Texas at this time. While this is a serious public health threat, based on current information, the risk to the general American public is low.
Prevention
While Wuhan coronavirus is a new respiratory virus, ways to prevent respiratory illness are the same:
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Travelers
Travelers should avoid all nonessential travel to Hubei Province, China, including Wuhan.
- Travelers to Hubei Province, China
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Avoid animals (alive or dead), animal markets, and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat).
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Older travelers and those with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease and should discuss travel to Wuhan with their healthcare provider.
- Travelers arriving from Hubei Province, China
- Monitor for fever, cough and difficulty breathing for at least 14 days and seek medical care right away if you experience those symptoms. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
- Avoid contact with others.
- Not travel while sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Additional Resources
Additional Information
- Texas Department of State Health Services
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- World Health Organization
For more information, visit www.fbchealth.org/ncov.
