Bangor University has advised staff and students not to travel to China following the outbreak of novel coronavirus, which has killed 170 people so far.

 

Chinese health authorities said there were 7,711 confirmed cases in the country as of 29 January. The infection has also spread to at least 15 other countries, there have been no confirmed cases in the UK so far, with a total of 130 tests being concluded, of which 130 were confirmed negative and 0 positive.

The Foreign Office has warned UK residents not to travel to mainland China, unless their journey is essential, in an attempt to limit the spread of the disease.

Bangor University has a partnership with the Central South University of Forestry and Technology (CSUFT) in China’s Hunan Province, with many Chinese students studying and living in Bangor.

A spokesman from Bangor University told North Wales Live: “In line with advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), the University has decided that staff and students should not travel to China on university business until the FCO advise otherwise.

“The university continues to monitor the situation and are following the advice provided by the Government and Public Health organisations.

“We have reminded students and staff travelling abroad as part of their work or study to follow the specific advice provided for the destinations they will be travelling to, and are directing staff and students to the comprehensive advice issued by the NHS, Public Health Wales and Government.

“We are not aware of any staff or students that have been to the Wuhan area during the last few weeks.”

Wuhan corona virus

A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

Wuhan novel coronavirus is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.

Advice for travellers from Wuhan
If you have returned from Wuhan in the last 14 days:
stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with other flu viruses
call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the city
Please follow this advice even if you do not have symptoms of the virus

For the latest updates and advice on coronavirus visit the government website here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public