Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2020 February 4

Welcome to the Wikipedia Science Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is a transcluded archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

February 4

Wuhan coronavirus in New Zealand

Have there been any cases of the Wuhan coronavirus in New Zealand? Freeknowledgecreator (talk) 06:43, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

No . Our articles 2019–20 Wuhan coronavirus outbreak#Areas affected and 2019–20 Wuhan coronavirus outbreak by country and territory are actually updated fairly well with reports, especially for confirmed cases. Their main problem tends to be with 'suspected' cases, in particular removing these when testing shows 2019-nCoV wasn't involved. Nil Einne (talk) 07:55, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

The problem with identifying cases is that the virus causes an respiratory infection which may have symptoms broadly similar to hundreds of other infectious agents; indeed outside of China (and probably outside of Wuhan), if a person is showing symptoms of a respiratory infection, it is FAR more likely to be a different infection, such as the common cold, influenza, pneumonia, etc. --Jayron32 13:54, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

... or indeed any signs. Richard Avery (talk) 16:49, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

BTW, while not in New Zealand, a New Zealander on the Diamond Princess (ship) cruise ship currently in Yokohama has now tested positive for the virus . (It's possible that some of those who have tested positive in China, or elsewhere are New Zealanders, but I don't think it's publicly known.) Nil Einne (talk) 16:02, 6 February 2020 (UTC)