French authorities confirmed three coronavirus cases on Friday, signalling that the lethal virus had reached Europe.
Health Minister of France, Mr Agnes Buzyn, stated that two infected people had recently flown to China and were isolated. The third person was in a close relationship with one of the other two.
“More cases are likely to be discovered,” Buzyn said.
“We know that since the patient has been on French soil, they have had contact with many people. We’re looking to contact them,” the French health minister added.
She further demonstrated that treating an epidemic is as crucial as treating a fire. Desperate measures must be introduced to locate the source quickly and remove it immediately.
The coronavirus from China, believed to have come from an animal market in Wuhan, spread to humans and could be transmitted from one person to another.
The announcement from French healthcare officials came as over a dozen countries around the world have already confirmed infections. Nepal reported one case on Friday, the first in a South Asian country.
Australia also confirmed its first four cases of coronavirus this Saturday. Officials in Victoria followed “strict protocols, including isolating the affected person,” said Professor Brendan Murphy, the Australian government’s chief medical Officer.
Murphy predicted the probability of even more cases of coronavirus in Australia.