The World Health Organization announced Thursday that the outbreak of the Corona virus in China is now a public health emergency of international concern.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanum, announced the decision after the WHO Emergency Committee, an independent expert committee, was meeting amid growing evidence of the virus spreading in about 18 countries.
Tidros said at a press conference in Geneva that the recent weeks have witnessed an unprecedented outbreak that was met with an unprecedented response.
"To be clear, this announcement is not a vote of distrust in China," he added.
"Our biggest concern is the potential transmission of the virus to countries with weak health systems," he added.
The declaration of a global emergency leads to recommendations to all countries aimed at preventing or limiting the spread of the disease across borders while avoiding unnecessary interference in trade and travel.
The declaration includes interim recommendations for national health authorities worldwide that include intensified monitoring, preparedness and containment procedures.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization said that the international health emergency declared by the organization does not call for an overreaction.
Tidros said at the press conference that we "do not recommend imposing restrictions on trade and travel as a global health organization," indicating that such steps would unnecessarily interfere with trade and transport.
China first reported global health to the new virus in late December.
To date, China has reported over 7,800 cases, including 170 deaths.
Another 18 countries have reported cases, and scientists are racing to understand exactly how the virus has spread and its severity.