The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Fears as Tayside patients tested for deadly virus
Five in Scotland displaying flu-like symptoms
Two patients from Tayside are being tested for possible coronavirus.
The Scottish Government last night confirmed five people in Scotland are being checked for the deadly virus after displaying flu-like symptoms.
Two undergoing tests are from Tayside, two from the Glasgow area and one from Lothian.
However, there have been no confirmed cases in the country of the disease, which has killed at least 17 people in the Wuhan area of China where the outbreak began. The Courier understands the tests are purely a precautionary measure.
Dundee University, which has an education partnership with Wuhan University, is monitoring staff and students who have been in the Wuhan area in case they develop symptoms.
There are 34 students from Wuhan, and 900 Chinese students in total, at the university.
Additionally, five members of staff returned to Dundee from the Wuhan region only last week.
Two people from Tayside are being tested for possible coronavirus – but a city university says it has no health concerns, despite close links to the affected area of China.
Five people in Scotland are being tested as a precautionary measure after developing flu-like respiratory symptoms. Two are in Tayside, two in the Glasgow area and one in Lothian. The tests are precautionary. Dundee University, which has a partnership with Wuhan University, is also monitoring students in case they display signs of the deadly virus.
The disease has killed at least 17 people and infected hundreds more since the outbreak began in the Hubei province – of which Wuhan is the capital – in China at the end of last month.
Downing Street said four suspected cases in Scotland were believed to involve Chinese nationals.
There are 34 students from Wuhan studying architecture at Dundee.
A spokesman for the university said no health concerns have been raised by any of the students, or by five staff members who travelled back to Dundee from Wuhan last week.
He said: “We issued advice to all of our students and staff regarding the coronavirus outbreak, to the effect that anyone who has been in China, or other areas where incidents of infection have been reported, within the last 14 days and is experiencing respiratory symptoms, should contact their GP or NHS 24.
“We have also advised that people should be careful if receiving packages from areas where the virus is present, especially if a package contains food items.
“We have 900 current students on campus who come from China and 104 of those students matriculated in January. There are another 48 due to arrive this month or February.”
He added: “We have a joint education partnership with Wuhan University. Students from Wuhan complete the final year of their architecture degree at Dundee, with many opting to remain at Dundee for a further year to obtain their masters qualification.
“There are 34 students from the programme in Dundee, having arrived in September. There have been no health concerns raised among that group but we will continue to monitor the situation closely.
“Five staff returned from a visit to Wuhan last week. Again, no health concerns have been raised at this time.
“We will continue to monitor the situation, taking advice from the relevant agencies as to appropriate action.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government is also watching the virus, which has spread from China.
She was asked at First Minister’s Questions by SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson about the steps being taken to ensure the safety of Scots after the disease killed 17 people and infected nearly 600.
It is believed it emanated from a market in Wuhan, which has a population of 11 million and an international airport connecting to 60 destinations across the world.
The first minister said: “We are very closely monitoring what is a very rapidly evolving situation.
“I should say, that the risk to the public here in Scotland – and indeed the UK – is currently classified as low but that is kept under review.
“Health Protection Scotland are liaising with NHS boards and are currently in daily contact with Public Health England.
“We’re also liaising daily with colleagues in the UK Department of Health. We’re also paying very close attention to the advice and the decisions that come from the World Health Organisation.”
The Chinese Government has quarantined Wuhan and the nearby city of Huanggang.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The current advice to travellers is against all but essential travel to Wuhan.
“Any travellers returning from Wuhan or elsewhere in China who become unwell, particularly with respiratory symptoms, within 14 days of their return, are advised to call their GP or NHS 111 and report their recent travel.”
“Five staff returned from a visit to Wuhan last week. No health concerns have been raised at this time. DUNDEE UNIVERSITY