Following a meeting of its emergency committee in Geneva on Thursday January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declared the coronavirus epidemic that appeared in China a public health emergency of international concern .
"Our greatest concern is the possibility that the virus will spread to countries with weaker health systems (...). This is not a vote of no confidence in China" , said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
"WHO opposes travel restrictions"
The organization considered that there was no reason to limit travel and trade with this country, despite the declaration of international alert.
"The WHO does not recommend restricting travel, trade and movements (of population, note), and even opposes any restriction on travel" said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
With more than 8,100 people infected and 170 dead, the Wuhan-born coronavirus epidemic is not weakening and cases of transmission between humans have appeared outside of China, including in the United States.
With AFP and Reuters
The France 24 week summary invites you to come back to the news that marked the week
I subscribeDownload the app
google-play-badge_FR