More than 50 countries are reporting cases of covert 19 as the battle to contain the virus intensifies.

Here in North America, many schools are preparing for a break this month, leaving parents to question the risks of that much desired vacation.

Have we reached the tipping point for Corona virus and can it be stopped?

Joining me now is Dr Marcos Espinal, the director of the Department of communicable diseases and environmental determinants of health at the Pan American Health Organization.

Thank you for taking the time to talk to us.

Doctor has been out my pleasure.

Each week we're hearing about more and more cases and countries reporting cove it 19 now within their borders.

Ah, lot of people are wondering at what point does this meet the criteria to become a pandemic?

That is a very important question, and there is a fine line that we could cross any time.

The pandemic issue has processing combs because the word pandemic can create also fear stigma and can also suggest that the international community cannot contain this virus.

On the other hand, uh, we we firmly believe that it is a pandemic when we start observing sustained transmission in the communities.

We have seen that in three countries so far Italy, South Korea and Iran.

So, um, we are watching this critically.

How prepared do you think we are here in Canada, the United States and the Americas for this virus?

So the health systems are really, really not homogeneous in turns off off preparation.

So there are stronger her systems.

Olders are weaker.

Canada in the United States has very strong health systems.

I think Canada, it's has done very well, cannot also has a lot of experience on the past corner vitals like SARS and and and and I think color has been able to handle the cases that have arrived related to China very well.

So far, the cases we've had coming into Canada have been people who have been in contact with somebody who had contact with someone in China, spouse of somebody who had it.

But when you really start to worry is when you start to see community transmission, that transmission of the disease to people who have not been or had a close relationship with someone who is considered to be high risk.

That is correct.

And that is the key issue for for calling it a pandemic event.

Ah, we don't rule out that is going to be called like that.

You know, we also don't rule out like, for instance, in China, cases are declining that he could come back.

But as the director general was saying few days ago, a couple of days ago, the organization still think that it can be contained.

What about places like Africa, where there is now a case in Nigeria, where there is not the kind of health care system that European and North American and may Latin American countries have?

Once it reaches there, does it become much harder to contain it?

There is no doubt that Nigeria will be committed to try to contain these.

We have office in for the whole of Africa, and certainly we're working with them.

But I agree view there.

There are several countries there where the health systems are are weak and they need to be strengthening.

Even in the United States.

In California, they were talking about a shortage of testing kits.

Are you concerned about whether or not even countries like Canada and the U.

S.

R.

Really prepared for this to come and for the health care system to have to deal with it.

One thing is containment, and the other thing is mitigation.

Mitigation measures can be implemented when we have our brakes or or community transmission.

Ah, lot of Canadian families.

They're getting ready to go on their march break.

They tend to go away.

People travel, they fly.

They go to places where there's lots of people like theme parks.

You know, should Canadian families be concerned about that?

And should be people be rethinking potentially their plans for the break or just carry on?

Well, that's an important question.

I think the key issue is tow.

Watch how these evolved and make the best decision close to the education of So I mean, some countries are already recommending canceling mass gathering events s O.

But it depends on on the country itself.

You know, each country within their boundaries can recommend what what they consider is good for their citizens.

One thing it is clear that is, there is community transmissions in a place, you know, it's important to avoid our place.

I mean for the time being, but But if the vacation is in two months or so, I recommend watch and see how these evolved.

If they see more cases coming into the vacation oh, holy day place, then it would be recommended.

It would be better to postpone that traveling because protecting life is more important than being a solid eight.

So for people at home watching, what should they be doing to protect themselves both from preventing getting the virus, but also dealing with a situation where there is an outbreak and things could change in terms of ability to get out of the house or use public transit or go shopping?

I think the important issue is not to create panic, the purchase off extra supplies.

It's related toe what I said earlier.

If on influx off cases arriving Canada, the authorities is to be prepared with stocks off supplies, protection, a Kate equipment and so on.

But they're not saying this is because the race is high or low.

I think this is called preparedness.

I mean to make sure they have they, the equipment, needles and the supplies needed to to face a major influx off off cases.

I think the issue of low reserves wise is also depend on on the health system of the of the country.

But nobody can control the virus like that.

Nobody can predict.

I'm sorry.

What is going to happen?

Uh, but we cannot also say that is going to be Armageddon or something like that.

I think countries are preparing, and Canada is one of them.

And And we fully, uh, confident that Canada is able to do Ah, good preparation for for for facing cases, off Corona virus like they have done already so far.

Thank you very much, Doctor.

Thank you.

That's all the time we have for today for the West block.

I'm Mercedes Stevenson.

Thanks for joining us.