Initially, most infected people reported exposure to a largeseafood and wet animal market in Wuhan City, Hubei Province suggesting a potential zoonotic origin. However,person-to-person transmission is now recognized given cases within families and among people who had not been to theWuhan market. Person-to-person spread occurs via droplets from coughing or sneezing or direct contact. Prevention and control measures to help prevent further spread are being implemented in China and a growing number of countries including the US. Travel screenings are being done at ports of entry particularly for people coming from China.
Public health officials and healthcare providers should consider 2019-nCoV infection as a potential etiology among travelers returning from Wuhan City, China who present with an acute fever and respiratory illness, particularly if there was any close contact with a suspected or laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV sick patient.
