HPA begins screenings at VIA for new virus from China

Health Protection Agency (HPA), on Wednesday, began entry screening at Velana International Airport (VIA) in response to the sharp rise in cases of a new and potentially deadly virus circulating in China.

While no cases of the novel coronavirus have been identified in Maldives, China is the biggest source of tourist arrivals of Maldives, heightening the risk of the illness spreading into the country.

Tourism Ministry, in a statement on Wednesday, said that the HPA had begun entry screening at the VIA as a precautionary measure.

“The Ministry of Tourism of Maldives, in collaboration with the stakeholder agencies and partners would like to assure that all measures have been taken to prevent, and protect the health the health and well-being of the Maldivian public and tourists with the emergence of the novel coronavirus in China,” it said.

The novel viral pneumonia, a coronavirus, appears to have originated from the city of Wuhan in December. The US has now joined a growing list of places outside mainland China reporting cases, following Thailand, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.  

Initial symptoms of the novel coronavirus include fever, cough, tightness of the chest and shortness of breath.

Chinese health officials confirmed earlier this week that the disease can be spread between humans. It’s not clear how contagious it is, but person-to-person transmission could allow it to spread more widely.

The number of confirmed cases have exceeded 440. The death toll stands at nine.