ZAGREB, January 27, 2020 - The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Office in Croatia, Antoinette Kaić-Rak, said on Sunday evening that there was no reason to spread panic in Croatia following the latest developments surrounding the outbreak of coronavirus in China.
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"I do not think that we should panic. The WHO's expert committee for emergency situations has not yet decided to declare this public healthcare crisis an international problem," Kaić-Rak told the national television (HTV) on Sunday evening.
She called for taking precautions.
"It is most important that the country's public healthcare system is prepared and that people are informed," she said, commenting on the situation in Croatia. Croatia's Health Ministry is expected to outlines measures for prevention of an outbreak of coronavirus in the country on Monday.
As for China, the WHO Committee that held a meeting a few days ago, welcomed the efforts made by that country to investigate and contain the current outbreak.
So far, 1,320 patients have been diagnosed with contracting this novel virus. The lion's share of them are in China, and also 23 cases have been reported to date in nine other countries. Also, 41 deaths have been confirmed in connection with that virus, and most of those victims were elderly people or people who also suffered from some other chronic health problems, said Kaić-Rak.
Four Croatian citizens are currently in the Chinese city of Wuhan where the novel coronavirus was first detected, the Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Ministry stated on Saturday, recommending delaying travel to that part of China.
More health news can be found in the Lifestyle section.
DAILY UPDATES: Total Croatia News provides LIVE daily updates on the coronavirus epidemic here.
