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Novel coronavirus to be included in generally hazardous communicable diseases – the aim is to prevent the spread of the disease

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Publication date 13.2.2020 13.29
Press release

The severe infection caused by the novel coronavirus will from now on be included in the list of generally hazardous communicable diseases. The amendment to the Government Decree on Communicable Diseases will enter into force on 14 February.

A communicable disease is generally hazardous if it is highly infectious, dangerous and its spread can be prevented by measures (such as a quarantine or isolation) aimed at persons who have contracted the disease, been exposed to the pathogen or are justifiably suspected to have been infected or exposed.

Until now, the infection caused by the novel coronavirus has been considered a communicable disease that is justifiably suspected of being generally hazardous. Based on this suspicion alone, a physician in charge of communicable diseases in public service may decide on quarantining a person who has been exposed to the disease but is without symptoms, and isolating an infected person, as well as ordering persons working in certain tasks to stay away from work. However, the classification as a generally hazardous infectious disease clarifies the situation. 

Like other coronaviruses, the novel coronavirus identified in China may cause a mild or severe disease (COVID-19). There is currently no information available on how common the milder forms of the disease are since the most severe cases are typically detected first at the beginning of an epidemic. The structure of the new virus and its modes of transmission are similar to the previously known coronaviruses SARS and MERS, which cause serious diseases and are already in the list of generally hazardous communicable diseases. 

On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new coronavirus detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. All countries must therefore actively monitor infections caused by the novel coronavirus, identify cases of the disease early, isolate the infected persons and trace the people who have been exposed to the infection to prevent further infections.

Quarantine is intended for symptomless persons who have been exposed to the disease - isolation is for those who have contracted the disease

The doctor responsible for communicable diseases may assign a person without symptoms or his/her possessions to quarantine if that person has been exposed to a generally hazardous communicable disease. The purpose of quarantine is to prevent the spread of the communicable disease into the population by restricting the person’s movements. The person is normally quarantined at his/her home. The doctor may end the quarantine once it has been confirmed that the person does not have the disease. The quarantine period is usually no longer than a couple of weeks. 

According to the Communicable Diseases Act, a person can be placed in isolation if he/she has been exposed to a generally hazardous communicable disease and had symptoms of the disease. The purpose of isolation is to prevent the spread of the communicable disease into the population by limiting the person’s movements and treating the communicable disease as quickly as possible. The patient is placed in isolation in a hospital, where he/she is examined and treated in accordance with the Health Care Act. 

Inquiries:

Liisa Katajamäki, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 163 329
Sari Ekholm, Senior Medical Officer, tel. +358 295 163 447

 
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