The Novel Coronavirus Originating in Wuhan, China: Challenges for Global Health Governance
The Journal of the American Medical Association, published online January 30, 2020
Posted: 20 Feb 2020
Alexandra Phelan
Center for Global Health Science & Security; Georgetown University, Law Center
Rebecca Katz
Georgetown University
Lawrence O. Gostin
Georgetown University - Law Center - O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law
Date Written: January 30, 2020
Abstract
On December 31, 2019, China reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, now designated 2019-nCoV. Mounting cases and deaths pose major public health and governance challenges. China’s imposition of an unprecedented cordon sanitaire (a guarded area preventing anyone from leaving) in Hubei Province has also sparked controversy concerning its implementation and effectiveness. Cases have now spread to 4 continents. We describe the current status of 2019-nCoV, assess the response, and offer proposals for bringing the outbreak under control.