US Man in His 30s Diagnosed with Wuhan Pneumonia... US Authorities Strengthen Airport Quarantine (Comprehensive Report 2)

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The first case of Wuhan pneumonia has occurred in the United States. On the 21st (local time), U.S. health authorities announced that a resident near Seattle, Washington, was infected with the novel coronavirus after returning from a trip to China last week.

The patient is a man in his 30s residing in Snohomish County, currently receiving isolated treatment and is reported to be in relatively good condition. Health authorities stated that the possibility of transmission to medical staff and others is low.

The patient showed no symptoms upon arrival at Seattle Airport on the 15th but later experienced abnormal symptoms and underwent testing on the 18th, health authorities added.

Since last week, U.S. authorities have strengthened quarantine measures at airports in New York, LA, and San Francisco to identify Wuhan pneumonia infections, but the first patient arrived in the U.S. before these enhanced measures were implemented. From this day, a surveillance system was also activated at Chicago International Airport. Atlanta Airport is also expected to strengthen quarantine procedures within this week.

As Wuhan pneumonia spreads, U.S. authorities are reportedly planning to require travelers arriving from the Wuhan area to enter the U.S. only through the five airports where quarantine procedures are conducted.

Especially with the Chinese Lunar New Year (Chunje) approaching, many quarantine officials have expressed concerns that the transmission of Wuhan pneumonia could spread further, according to the Associated Press.

U.S. media are concerned that although the novel coronavirus causing Wuhan pneumonia is not as fatal as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the risk could increase due to the possibility of sudden viral mutations.