The CDC Foundation has announced a $1 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in support of its recently reactivated CDC Emergency Response Fund.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been preparing for the arrival in the U.S. of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) first identified two weeks ago in Wuhan, China — efforts that include the dissemination of regular alerts, the development of guidance and a diagnostic test for clinicians, and the implementation of entry screenings at U.S. airports. When in activation mode, the Emergency Response Fund is used to address emerging needs as identified by the CDC, including support for state and local health departments, communications and logistics, data management, personal protective equipment, and critical response supplies.

According to the New York Times, more than 4,500 cases of the virus had been confirmed in China alone as of January 28, with 106 people having died, while the number of confirmed cases outside China had grown to 59, including 14 in Thailand; eight in Hong Kong; five each in the U.S., Taiwan, Australia, and Macau; seven in Japan; three in France; two each in Canada and Vietnam; and one each in Nepal, Cambodia, and Germany. There have been no reported deaths from the disease outside China.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can affect humans and animals. In rare cases, coronaviruses can mutate and jump from animal species to infect and spread among humans, as happened with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). While the first patients identified in the outbreak in Wuhan reportedly had connections to a seafood and live animal market, all available reports indicate that person-to-person infection is occurring.

"Government support is essential in tackling health threats such as this novel coronavirus," said CDC Foundation president and CEO Judy Monroe. "But we know that philanthropic and private-sector support is critical for use alongside government funding to address needs that arise in rapidly evolving situations where speed and flexibility are paramount to saving and protecting lives. That's why flexible philanthropic and private sector support is imperative. We are incredibly grateful to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for the first gift to our Emergency Response Fund, and we hope this donation will encourage others to provide much needed support."

(Photo credit: CDC Foundation)