As of 13th January 2020, 59 probable cases of pneumonia associated with a novel coronavirus have been reported in Wuhan City, China. Most cases had an epidemiological link to a Seafood City market (a wholesale market for seafood and live animals).

The first confirmed cases in Europe are not unexpected. The fact that these cases were identified, proves that detection and confirmation of this novel virus is working in France, showing a high level of preparedness to prevent and control possible infections of 2019-nCoV.

ECDC statement following reported confirmed case of 2019-nCoV in Germany

A first assessment looking at the preparedness of EU/EEA laboratories to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) demonstrates a fast implementation of molecular diagnostics by the European specialised laboratory networks. It also shows a good geographical coverage for testing.

In the last 24 hours, the Italian Ministry of Health confirmed an increasing number of COVID-19 cases, including two deaths, clustered in two regions in Northern Italy as well as single cases in other regions in Northern Italy.

Following the rapid increase of coronavirus cases in Italy, ECDC continuously assesses the impact that those local clusters have on the overall risk of further spread in the EU/EEA. In addition, the Centre supports the Member States in their COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts.

ECDC is publishing four leaflets with key information on the disease, the means of preparations to be undertaken in their households and protection measures for their family and care givers.

EU states are being urged to step up surveillance and biosecurity measures to guard against possible new outbreaks of avian influenza this year.

ECDC will assess the human implications of an extensive spread of SARS-CoV-2 in mink farms in Denmark, where by 3 November 197 farms had been affected in the country.

On 22 December ECDC released the technical report titled ‘COVID-19 vaccination and prioritisation strategies in the EU/EEA’, following the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommendation for authorisation of the vaccine Comirnaty, developed by BioNTech and Pfizer.