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As the first case of a novel coronavirus has been confirmed in the U.S., the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is in close communication with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC is closely monitoring an evolving outbreak caused by the new coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

Chinese authorities first identified the new coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, which has resulted in more than 300 confirmed human infections in China with several deaths reported. Countries, including the United States, have been actively screening incoming travelers from Wuhan.

Symptoms of the new respiratory virus include cough, difficulty breathing, fever and, in some patients, life-threatening pneumonia. Information about the illness is limited. Healthcare providers in Alabama are asked to conduct screening of patients seeking care for influenza-like illnesses with travel to Wuhan, China, in the past 14 days prior to illness and contact ADPH and CDC for consultation and guidance.

For more information about 2019-nCoV, go tohttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html