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Three travellers to Scotland from China are being treated in hospital amid fears over the spread of a novel coronavirus, also known as 'Wuhan Pneumonia' after the Chinese city where it first broke out.

The patients were taken into isolation after reporting flu-like symptoms after entering the UK, reports the Daily Record.

It is believed that the travellers came to Scotland from Wuhan, the Chinese city where the latest outbreak erupted, in the past week. At least two of the people being assessed are believed to be in the Edinburgh area, according to recent reports, while another is believed to be being treated in a Glasgow hospital.

NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are currently redirecting media enquiries to the Scottish Government.

Prof Juergen Haas, a specialist in infectious diseases at the University of Edinburgh, told the BBC that three of the suspected cases were in Edinburgh.



However, a Scottish Government statement released at 5.30pm clarifies:

“There are currently no confirmed cases of Coronavirus (WN Co-V) in the UK and the risk to the Scottish public remains low.

“Following travel to Wuhan, China, two people confirmed as diagnosed with influenza are now being tested for Wuhan Novel Coronavirus as a precautionary measure only. A third person is also currently undergoing testing on a similar precautionary basis.

“We are co-orientating with Health Protection Scotland a daily Incident Management Team to continue to monitor the situation as it develops, including on the number of any potential cases going forward.”

One source told the Record that Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital infection outbreak and control measures are in place around a ward where a patient was being treated in isolation.

Special measures would include staff wearing sterile suits and patients entering strict isolation, as well as monitoring the temperature of any patient.

The source said: “There was no doubt that the situation was being taken seriously because of the symptoms being displayed and the specific origin of travel.

“The patient came through London to Glasgow and after the symptoms were flagged up no chances were taken.

“The tests that were carried out could not immediately isolate what the condition might be and it may take a bit longer to be absolutely sure what doctors are dealing with.

“Obviously they are erring on the side of caution in the meantime.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the NHS is “ready to respond appropriately” to any cases of coronavirus that emerge in the UK.

In a statement to the Commons he said that while “there is an increased likelihood that cases may arise in this country, we are well prepared and well equipped to deal with them”.

On Wednesday night, China suspended all flights, including international services, out of Wuhan city - the epicentre of the virus outbreak.

Another city close to Wuhan, Huanggang, is also on lock-down as officials try to contain the spread of the virus.

Hancock told MPs there had been 571 cases of coronavirus and 17 deaths confirmed by the Chinese government.

He said: “This is a rapidly developing situation and the number of deaths and the number of cases is likely to be higher than those that have been confirmed so far, and I expect them to rise further.”

He told how cases of the virus have also been reported in Thailand, Japan, South Korea and the US.

Hancock said “most people” affected have experienced cold and flu symptoms, though some cases have proved fatal.

“We have been closely monitoring the situation in Wuhan and have put in place proportionate, precautionary measures,” he said.

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