The Southern Nevada Health District is closely monitoring the outbreak caused by a new 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) first identified in Wuhan, China. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the first travel-associated cases of the virus in the United States in residents from Washington State and Illinois.

What is the current risk for novel coronavirus and what is the Health District doing?

The Health District is providing updated information to local health care providers to keep them informed and provide guidance for evaluating and reporting potential patients. The Health District will continue to work with CDC and state and local health care partners to take every possible precaution against this emerging virus.

To date, there are no cases reported in Clark County, Nev.

How come McCarran International Airport is not one of the locations where the CDC is doing public health screenings?

The CDC has taken a number of steps to help protect against the spread of the virus, including implementing public health entry screenings of passengers at five designated airports in the United States: Atlanta-Jackson (ATL), Chicago-O’Hare (ORD), John F. Kennedy (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), and San Francisco (SFO). These airports were selected because these are the entry airports for most travelers from the Wuhan area. All travelers from Wuhan were routed through these airports prior to travel bans recently put into place.

McCarran International Airport is not one of the designated screening airports. The screenings were determined and implemented by the CDC. If, at some point, McCarran is added to the list where travelers are screened, the Health District would provide any assistance requested.

What should I look for if I or someone in my family visited Wuhan recently?

If you or someone in your family has visited the area recently and you start feeling sick with respiratory symptoms like fever, cough, or difficulty breathing within 14 days after you return, contact your health care provider so you can seek medical care.

Call your doctor’s office, urgent care, or emergency department before you arrive so they can take the necessary precautions to get you tested and to prevent others from being exposed.

I have been to Wuhan, or someone in my family visited the area. I’m not sick. Is there anything I need to do?

If you are not sick and it is within 14 days since you returned from the area or from the time you were exposed to a person with the new coronavirus, you should monitor your health for symptoms for 14 days:

• Fever
• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing

If you develop symptoms, contact your health care provider and seek medical care immediately.

If I visited other parts of China, should I be tested?

You’re not considered to be at risk or in need of testing if you or one of your close contacts have not visited the Wuhan region, or if you are not closely associated with someone who is being evaluated by a health care provider for the 2019 novel coronavirus.

What can I do to prevent getting infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus or other respiratory illnesses?

The Health District reminds everyone to take steps to prevent the spread of flu and other viruses, including:

• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth
• Avoid contact with people who are sick and stay home from work or school if you are sick
• Cover your cough and cough into the crook of your arm. Use tissues and throw them away.

For more the most updated information, visit the CDC’s 2019 Novel Coronavirus, Wuhan, China website.