National carrier RwandAir on Friday announced it was suspending flights to and from Guangzhou, China, with immediate effect, a decision it says will be reviewed later in February.

The airline currently operates three flights a week to the Chinese city.

This comes after the World Health Organization on Thursday declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) as the new coronavirus outbreak spread well beyond China, where it was first reported last month.

A statement by the airline says: "The move follows the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization, WHO, in relation to the coronavirus outbreak.”

"Affected passengers will be re-routed, refunded or allowed to change their tickets to a later date,” reads part of the statement.

The decision, the airline announced, will be reviewed later in February.

Flights from Kigali to Mumbai, India will continue as per schedule.

It is also noted that the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority is in the process of notifying other airlines entering Rwanda that any passengers on their aircraft who have travelled from China will, upon arrival be screened for potential exposure to the novel coronavirus, and maybe quarantined for two weeks for observation and case management.

According to the UN’s health agency, the meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus regarding the outbreak of novel coronavirus 2019 in China, with exportations to other countries, took place on Thursday.

It is noted that there are now 7, 711 confirmed and 12,167 suspected cases throughout China.

Of the confirmed cases, 1,370 are severe and 170 people have died, and 124 people have recovered and been discharged from hospital.

The situation in other countries is also not getting better as there are now 83 cases in 18 countries, up from 11 earlier this week.  

Of these, only seven had no history of travel in China.

It is noted that there has been human-to-human transmission in three countries outside China. "One of these cases is severe and there have been no deaths,” said the WHO.

It is noted that the "very strong measures” China has taken include daily contact with WHO and comprehensive multi-sectoral approaches to prevent further spread.

"It has also taken public health measures in other cities and provinces; is conducting studies on the severity and transmissibility of the virus, and sharing data and biological material. The country has also agreed to work with other countries that need their support. The measures China has taken are good not only for that country but also for the rest of the world.”

It is emphasized that the declaration of a PHEIC should be seen in the spirit of support and appreciation for China, its people, and the actions China has taken on the frontlines of this outbreak, with transparency, and, it is to be hoped, with success.

In line with the need for global solidarity, the WHO felt that a global coordinated effort is needed to enhance preparedness in other regions of the world that may need additional support for that.

Advice to all countries

According to the WHO, it is expected that further international exportation of cases may appear in any country.

"Thus, all countries should be prepared for containment, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, contact tracing and prevention of onward spread of 2019-nCoVinfection, and to share full data with WHO.”

There are currently no confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Africa, but the WHO recommends taking preventive actions while traveling.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, tweeted: "Although there are no confirmed cases in Africa, @WHOAFRO is on high alert & will continue to support member states to build capacity to prepare & respond. Surveillance remains a top priority.”

Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, the Director-General of Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), told The New Times on Monday that despite the fact that the threat of the novel coronavirus is real with the virus evolving quickly across the globe, the public should not panic.

What the public should pay attention to about the virus

According to the WHO, common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

According to Nsanzimana said the public needs to know the clinical symptoms of the novel coronavirus – fever, cough, running nose, difficulty breathing, pneumonia and lung infiltrates which can be detected with chest x-ray.

The six daily practices, according to him, are:

– Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

– Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

– Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

– Stay home when you are sick.

– Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

– Avoid unnecessary handshaking if you present clinical signs of the flu-like syndrome.