Emerging Infectious Diseases (Jul 2020)

Early Introduction of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 into Europe

  • Sonja J. Olsen,
  • Meng-Yu Chen,
  • Yu-Lun Liu,
  • Mark Witschi,
  • Alexis Ardoin,
  • Clémentine Calba,
  • Pauline Mathieu,
  • Virginie Masserey,
  • Francesco Maraglino,
  • Stefano Marro,
  • Pasi Penttinen,
  • Emmanuel Robesyn,
  • Jukka Pukkila

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2607.200359
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 26, no. 7
pp. 1567 – 1570

Abstract

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Early infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in Europe were detected in travelers from Wuhan, China, in January 2020. In 1 tour group, 5 of 30 members were ill; 3 cases were laboratory confirmed. In addition, a healthcare worker was infected. This event documents early importation and subsequent spread of the virus in Europe.

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