If you haven’t been made aware, there is currently an outbreak in China that began just days ago and has since claimed the lives of 18 people. 

Before you panic - here’s what you should know:

What does it look like? 

It causes flu symptoms - and passengers on planes could expect to be temperature tested upon entry and being quarantined if the traveler displays symptoms. The CDC urges people having recently traveled to Wuhan in the past two weeks to seek medical care immediately in the event of fever, coughing, or difficulty breathing though the symptoms should present most prominently and most quickly in older adults or in anyone with underlying health conditions as they may be at greater risk and only if they’ve come into contact with someone who recently returned from China (in the last two weeks).

Where has it spread? 

But not to worry - though the epidemic spread much more rapidly than anticipated - the World Health Organization says that the Coronavirus is not a global health emergency. Unfortunately the shutdown of over 3 major cities in China and enforced shutdown affecting an estimated 20 million people now on quarantine and banned from travel - comes in the middle of the Chinese Lunar New Year.  

What’s being done?

The mass-ban on thE outbreak has kept the outbreak from spreading - and no flights in or out have been permitted since the outbreak. What it means that it hasn’t been declared a global health emergency is that though it won’t receive a great amount of monetary or human resources - it also won’t restrict travel as severely as a declaration could says the Associated Press. Just because the rest of the world isn’t on such high alert - doesn’t mean China is out of the woods yet. The CDC has declared a Level 3 travel warning for Wuhan China - the existing highest level. 

What can you do?

The best thing you can do is to avoid panicking - the virus has only two known cases in the United States in Los Angeles - and the most recent person infected is in recovery - expected to make a full and speedy one. Though the likelihood of your being infected is extremely slim - it’s still important to be vigilant to the possibility that you, a family member or your employees could potentially be infected. Take special precaution and send anyone displaying any extreme flu symptoms.