At the end of 2019, physicians in Wuhan, China, described a cluster of pneumonia associated with an unknown virus. Only two weeks later scientists had determined that the pathogen is a new type of coronavirus that is related to the SARS virus which circulated in 2003.
Currently, about 6000 people have been infected with this virus. 132 people have died so far, most of them with pre-existing medical conditions. However, the number of unreported cases might be much higher. By now, the USA and several Asian countries such as Thailand and Japan have reported the first cases of the disease.
People in Asia and around the world are afraid this virus might spread further. But how dangerous is it? Are we at the beginning of a new epidemic? How is the virus transmitted? How is Switzerland prepared for such cases? What have we learned from the SARS epidemic? And how can we stop the spread of the virus?
As part of the "Einblicke Biozentrum" series, we will host a special public event on the outbreak of the novel coronavirus on 30 January 2020 at 7 p.m. at the Biozentrum. In short lectures, three experts from the University of Basel will shed light on the background of the outbreak and recent developments. Prof. Richard Neher from the Biozentrum will report on the origin and global spread of the virus, the virologist Prof. Hans Hirsch, MD, from the University Hospital of Basel will provide information on diagnostics and Prof. Andreas Widmer, MD, Department of Hospital Hygiene, will inform about measures in hospitals to halt infection and spread. The speakers will be available to answer questions after their presentations and during the following apero.
Special public event "Einblicke Biozentrum": Coronavirus outbreak
Thursday, 30 January 2020
7.00 to 7.45 p.m. followed by an apero
Lecture hall 1
Biozentrum
University of Basel
Klingelbergstrasse 50
4056 Basel
Contact: Communications Biozentrum