Washington is

preparing to battle with coronavirus, the emerging health threat that

originated in China.

The state Health

Department is the lead. It announced on Feb. 4 that it stands ready to isolate

and quarantine travelers from China, working with partners to implement federal

measures announced in January to control the spread.

The World Health

Organization declared a state of emergency for the novel coronavirus, or

2019-nCoV.

The illness is

concentrated in China but has spread to the U.S. There were 12 confirmed cases

in the U.S. and one in Washington state in early February. Elsewhere, officials

have been responding to false reports. 

As of Feb. 11, there

were 43,100 confirmed cases worldwide, with most in China. The illness claimed

1,017 lives in China and one outside.

In Washington state,

the outbreak means heightened awareness and scrutiny for air travelers arriving

at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport from China, particularly from Hubei,

the center of the breakout.

The Department of

Homeland Security and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are

screening travelers from China. Ill passengers will be isolated, evaluated and

if needed, hospitalized.

The state also created

a command center to respond to the outbreak by elevating the Emergency

Operations Center at Camp Murray to Level One, putting it on full-activation

status to respond to the virus.

The operations center

includes a Joint Information Center, where representatives from public health

and medical services, agricultural and natural resources work together.

The World Health

Organization recommends these steps to reduce exposure:

• Wash hands

frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub.

• Cover coughs and

sneezes with a flexed elbow or tissue. Discard soiled tissues immediately and

wash hands.

• Keep a distance of

at least three feet from other people, particularly those who are coughing,

sneezing and have a fever.

• Avoid touching your

eyes, nose and mouth.

• Seek medical help if

experiencing a fever, cough or difficulty breathing. Tell your doctor if you’ve

traveled in an area where the virus has been reported.

• Avoid consumption of

raw or undercooked animal products.

Track the virus’

status at who.int and doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus.