UMass Boston student becomes first confirmed coronavirus case in Massachusetts

A University of Massachusetts Boston student returning from the epicenter of a novel coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China, has become the first confirmed case of the potentially deadly illness in Massachusetts.

The man, who is in his 20s, landed at Logan International Airport directly from China on Jan. 28 with a runny nose. He sought medical treatment the next day, public health officials said.

He did not require hospitalization and has been “isolated” at home while public health nurses continue to monitor his condition, city and state health officials said in a telephone press conference Saturday, after being notified of the student’s positive test result for the virus late Friday by the Centers for Disease Control.

The student was “doing quite well,” they said.

“We are fortunate in that the man quickly recognized that he was sick, that he was at risk for infection, and sought medical care quickly,” said Dr. Larry Madoff, medical director of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Infectious Disease.

Madoff said the number of people the student came in contact with was “very few” and was limited to household members and the medical professionals who treated him, all of whom are now being monitored for signs of illness. The CDC will handle contacting any “potential exposures,” he said.

“The risk remains quite low at this time,” Madoff said. “This is the only case in Massachusetts and we are closely monitoring it.”

The student lives off-campus and did not take part in on-campus activities at UMass Boston after his return, health officials said. They chose to quarantine the man in his home to minimize the risk of spreading the respiratory infection in a hospital, where such viruses can run rampant.

It is unclear how long the student will remain in isolation. Medical professionals aren’t yet sure the “length of time that someone is capable of spreading the virus,” Madoff said.

UMass Boston addressed the situation in a letter to the school community Saturday.

“State and city public health authorities have informed us that the risk to members of our community is low. For these reasons, we expect ‘business as usual’ on campus,” interim Chancellor Katherine Newman wrote.

Dr. Jennifer Lo, Boston Public Health Commission medical director, said people should not be “letting our fears about the unknowns of this novel coronavirus get the best of us. Boston and the state of Massachusetts is prepared to address and respond as needed.”

“We’re going to keep an eye on it and monitor the situation,” Mayor Martin Walsh said Saturday, urging anyone who feels sick and is unsure of their symptoms to contact a medical professional and the city immediately.

Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement, “While the risk remains low for Massachusetts, state public health officials are working hand-in-hand with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local boards of health and other local partners. People should take the same precautions they do to prevent the spread of the cold and flu.”

Wuhan is the origin of the virus that has triggered a global emergency declaration from the World Health Organization and a public health emergency in the U.S. The UMass Boston student is the eighth confirmed case of the coronavirus in the U.S., according to the CDC, and officials in New York City were monitoring another potential case Saturday evening. The death toll in China surpassed 300.

The U.S. will begin funneling all flights to the U.S. from China to seven major airports where passengers can be screened for the illness.

Boston remains on the CDC list of 20 ports of entry that were ordered to have advanced coronavirus screening for any passengers whose trips began in China. The UMass Boston student flew in from Wuhan the day before screening began, officials said.

Infectious disease experts credited the student for taking quick action to minimize his risk of spreading the virus.

Todd Ellerin, director of infectious diseases at South Shore Health, said, “I’m sure we’re going to see more, whether they’re confirmed cases or other cases that are so mild that go unnoticed, in Massachusetts, in the United States, throughout the world.” But he said the U.S. has “had a jump-start on this. I think we’re in good shape.”

Both Ellerin and John Connor of Boston University’s National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories urged folks to remain vigilant not just about the coronavirus, but also about influenza, which has already killed thousands this season.

Rita Nieves, executive director of the BPHC, said Saturday the focus now is to “help this man continue to recover” while both protecting and informing the public.

“Right now, we are not asking Boston residents to do anything differently,” she said.

Stefan Geller and Herald wire services contributed to this report.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/36SfjkK