All individuals with symptoms suggestive of the new coronavirus and having been to China – and not only in the Chinese provinces most affected by the disease – should call immediately the national health emergency line SNS24 , now being considered as suspected cases. This is the new orientation defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), that is being transmitted by the Portuguese General-Directorate for Health (DGS). Until now, the orientation as to the definition of “suspected case” was restricted to travellers returning from the Chinese most affected areas by the 2019-nCoV, in particular the cities of Wuhan, Beijing, Guangdong and Shanghai. Fever, coughing, respiratory difficulties, muscle pain and fatigue are the warning signs of the possible occurrence of Covid-19 (the name in the meanwhile assigned by the WHO to the disease caused by 2019-nCoV ). According to the data presently available, about 20% of the individuals affected develop a severe disease, such as pneumonia, shortness of breath and ultimately death. Therefore, travellers returning from China and presenting the abovementioned symptoms, during or after the travel, should follow the next recommendations: Before getting to a health unit, call 808 24 24 (SNS24). In that call, refer your health condition and travel story. Observe the orientations provided by health professionals on SNS24 emergency line.
