Asymptomatic novel coronavirus (nCoV) transmission is occurring, a top US infectious disease expert confirmed, citing a new study published recently on the New England Journal of Medicine (On NEJM).
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According to the German researchers, the virus was transmitted by people without symptoms in five instances in one cluster of people: from a parent to a daughter, from that daughter to two colleagues, and from one of those colleagues to two other co-workers.
"There's no doubt after reading this paper that asymptomatic transmission is occurring. This study lays the question to rest," National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci noted.
The fact that asymptomatic persons are potential sources of infection may warrant a reassessment of transmission dynamics of the current outbreak, the paper stated.
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The new study
On the NEJM website, the case of the 33-year-old otherwise healthy German businessman (Patient 1) was cited. Patient 1 became ill with sore throat, chills, and myalgias. The following day, a fever of 39.1°C (102.4°F) developed, along with a productive cough. By the evening of the next day, he started feeling better so he went back to work."Timeline of Exposure to Index Patient with Asymptomatic 2019-nCoV Infection in Germany.
Before the onset of symptoms, he had attended meetings with a Chinese business partner at his company near Munich on January 20 and 21. The business partner, a Shanghai resident, had visited Germany between January 19 and 22. During her stay, she had been well with no signs or symptoms of infection but had become ill on her flight back to China, where she tested positive for nCoV," the study disclosed.
"Days later, three additional employees at the company tested positive for nCoV (Patients 2 through 4 in Figure 1). Of these patients, only Patient 2 had contact with the index patient; the other two patients had contact only with Patient 1. In accordance with the health authorities, all the patients with confirmed 2019-nCoV infection were admitted to a Munich infectious diseases unit for clinical monitoring and isolation. So far, none of the four confirmed patients show signs of severe clinical illness," it further explained.
Public Health Emergency of International Concern
Following the advice of the Emergency Committee, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the nCoV outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Still, the committee believes that it is still possible to interrupt virus spread, provided that countries put in place strong measures to detect disease early, isolate and treat cases, trace contacts, and promote social distancing measures commensurate with the risk.
"It is important to note that as the situation continues to evolve, so will the strategic goals and measures to prevent and reduce spread of the infection," the WHO statement noted.
"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 Committee felt that a global coordinated effort is needed to enhance preparedness in other regions of the world that may need additional support for that," it further stated.
Meanwhile, amid the outbreak scare, an expert clarified one of the biggest misconception when it comes to the nCoV:
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