Diaspora of a Deadly Disease

Virus continues its spread across the globe worrying officials

On Tuesday, Feb. 25, the World Health Organization reported that for the first time, the number of new cases of the coronavirus reported outside of China exceeded the number of new cases in China. 

Current figures estimate around 81,000 people across 37 countries have been infected by the virus.

The South Korean military announced infections among its troops with close to 10,000 people in isolation. 

The U.S. military confirmed the first infection of an American soldier stationed on a base in South Korea. 

In Japan, all major sports and cultural events have been canceled or postponed to prevent further infections—however the Olympic preparations are still proceeding as planned. 

Italy is currently facing at least 400 infected people and at least 12 deaths. This spread of the virus to Italy has led many colleges and universities in the U.S. to call their students back from study abroad programs in Italy. 

In Rome, Pope Francis celebrated Ash Wedneday with the usual customs while other Masses in nothern Italy were cancelled over fears of the outbreak. Francis, along with priests, bishops and cardinals walked in a procession through Rome without wearing face masks. A handful of those in the crowd had masks on their face. 

In the Philippines, priests sprinked ashes on the heads of the faithful rather than making the mark of the cross on their foreheads to avoid physical contact. For Good Friday, bishops in the Philippines strongly urged churchgoers to refrain from kissing or touching the cross. 

Many universities in the U.S., Australia and Europe have already canceled study abroad programs in China and other Asian countries. 

Major U.S. stock indexes are also seeing falls fueled by worry of economic fallout from the virus’ outbreak. Traders are concerned the global economy could slow down as China, one of the world’s largest economies, struggles to contain the outbreak. 

Germany and France have also reported two cases each of individuals with no known ties to Italy, travel to China or contact with an infected person. Germany’s health minister warned that the country was “at the beginning of an epidemic.”   

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Brazil’s government confirmed the first case of the coronavirus in Latin America. The victim was a 61-year-old Brazilian man who traveled to Italy this month. 

The Health Ministry has said that the man’s family members are under observation as well as the people he possibly came into contact with including those on his flight from Italy. 

The rest of Brazil is preparing itself for an epidemic. Drugstores are running out of masks, and school attendance is light. Currently, Brazil has 20 suspected cases of the new coronavirus, 12 of which are from people who returned from Italy.

Associated Press contributed reporting. Contact Emma Pollans at epollans@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.