Chinese authorities have urged people to stop travelling in and out of Wuhan, the city at the centre of an outbreak of a SARS-like virus that has now killed at least 17 people.
The man who was placed in isolation at his home flew into Brisbane earlier in January after visiting family in Wuhan, where the virus broke out in December. A number of Australians have been tested for the deadly coronavirus but there are still no confirmed cases.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Australians should be alert but not alarmed by the"evolving situation". Biosecurity measures are in place and the three flights Australia receives from Wuhan each week would be closely monitored, says Mr Morrison. We have the best health system in the world and we are prepared to deal with this situation. While Australians should remain alert, they should not be alarmed.He said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has raised the level of its travel advisory for Wuhan to recommending travellers exercise a high degree of caution while in the city. "I'm advised by the Chief Medical Officer the risk of transmission in Australia remains low, however the situation is evolving," Mr Morrison said on Twitter. He said a national response centre is online and coordinating a response with federal, states and territory health experts.Biosecurity measures have been ramped up for flights into the country from China, and the city of Wuhan in particular. "A number of people have been tested in Australia and found to be negative," federal Health Minister Greg Hunt told Sky News on Wednesday.Travelers arrive at Tom Bradey International Terminal in Los Angeles." will be met by biosecurity officers, information given to passengers and the biosecurity officers will be accompanied by health officers," Mr Hunt told the ABC. "They do have the capacity because of the measures taken to bring people directly to hospital if that were required. "But we expect that any passengers that do have issues will self-report because it's in their own interests but if not, then there are strong powers." Medical staff in protective outfits take precautions with patients at Kwong Wah Hospital in Yau Ma Tei.Biosecurity staff have been stationed at Sydney airport to meet the three direct flights a week from Wuhan to Sydney. Written information will be provided to passengers onboard flights from Wuhan, explaining the symptoms of coronaviruses, which can include a high fever. Earlier, chief medical officer Brendan Murphy told reporters the risk posed to Australians by the new strain was low. Biosecurity staff have been stationed at Sydney airport to meet the three direct flights a week from Wuhan to Sydney. Written information will be provided to passengers onboard flights from Wuhan, explaining the symptoms of coronavirus which includes a high fever. But Professor Murphy said it was not necessary to screen people for temperature which he said he proved unreliable in the past.At least four people have been killed by the new strain of coronavirus.At Sydney International airport, many travellers flying to the city of Tianjin in China on Tuesday, were not too concerned about the outbreak.“Actually my father works in hospital and he told me it's not that serious." Fellow flyer Daniel, who is visiting family in China to celebrate Lunar New Year, had confidence authorities would handle it. “Not actually, because we have experience controlling the SARS, so I'm pretty confident in controlling this time,” he said. "[I am] a bit concerned, but I think with the proper measures - I think that can be controlled, probably."
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