Latest update from Public Health England about the Wuhan Novel Coronavirus

Public Health England has assessed the risk to the UK population as low. The risk to travellers to Wuhan City has been assessed as moderate. Young, healthy adults are much less likely than elderly people or those with chronic illness to develop serious disease if infected.

UCL is monitoring the situation closely and is in regular contact with Public Health England. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office is currently advising against all travel to Hubei province in China where the virus originated.

Public Health England is also advising people who have returned from Wuhan City in the last 14 days to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people (as with other flu viruses). They should also contact the free NHS 111 telephone helpline and inform them of their recent travel to the city.

Staff and students should follow this advice even if they do not have symptoms of the virus. If they do develop a fever, difficulty breathing or a cough, they should seek immediate medical advice by calling NHS 111 or their GP. They should not leave their home until they have received medical advice and they should avoid having visitors.

British nationals in Hubei province should get in touch with the British Embassy in Beijing if they are concerned and wish to leave. They can call the 24-hour telephone number +86 (0) 10 8529 6600 or (+44) (0)207 008 1500 to register their desire to leave before 11am on Wednesday 29 January (Beijing Time).

UCL staff and students in other affected countries should register with their local consulates or embassies, who can then advise on any updates and evacuation plans for respective nationals.

The UCL website has more information about the virus and what to do if you think you may have it or if you have recently travelled to the area. The situation is changing so please do check this page regularly. We will be updating the website with new information as it becomes available.