While the novel coronavirus in China has captured headlines, as it recently earned public health emergency declaration from the World Health Organization, the seasonal flu still poses a bigger threat to Nebraskans.

Several people in Omaha have died from the flu this season alone, including two children, while thus far there have been just a isolated cases of the new virus reported in the United States.

“In the U.S., we should probably be much more worried about influenza and respiratory diseases that we know cause significant morbidity and mortality every year,” said Dr. James Lawler, an infectious disease expert at Nebraska Medicine, speaking at a recent news conference. “It is appropriate for folks to temper their alarm, but it is I think reason to be aware that we are vulnerable to emerging infections anywhere in the world. With modern transportation, you can be anywhere in the globe within 24 hours.”

The new coronavirus has been spreading at a rate alarming to global health officials. WHO has said most people who got the illness had milder cases, though 20% experienced severe symptoms. Symptoms of the new coronavirus include fever and cough and in severe cases, shortness of breath and pneumonia.

The novel cornovirus is in the same family as the 2003 SARS virus and the 2012 MERS virus, according to the National Institute of Health. SARS killed 774 people globally, but there have been no new cases since 2004. The new virus has already spread to more people than SARS did.

MERS has killed over 850 people and continues to have occasional outbreaks because of sporadic transmission from camels.

“Now this is the third novel cornovirus that we’re having experience with that can cause severe lower respiratory track diseases,” said Dr. Mark Rupp, another infectious disease expert at Nebraska Medicine.

As of Friday, 9,700 cases had been reported in China, including Hong Kong and Macao. Most of the deaths were in the central Chinese providence Hubei, where the virus was first detected.

Six cases have been detected in the United States, with many other countries reporting one or a handful of cases. U.S. authorities are recommending no travel to China. More than 50 million people in China are under lockdown in a virtual quarantine.

Infected people don’t show symptoms immediately and may be able to pass on the virus before they appear sick.

Experts say there is significant evidence the virus is spreading among people in China and WHO noted with its emergency declaration last Thursday it was especially concerned that some cases abroad also involved human-to-human transmission. It defines an international emergency as an “extraordinary event” that constitutes a risk to other countries and requires a coordinated international response.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement last week that it and its partners are monitoring the outbreak of the new virus.

“This is an evolving situation and we’re watching it closely,” said Dr. Tom Safranek, state epidemiologist for DHHS. “It’s very possible that we could see a travel-related case here in Nebraska.”

The Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, located at Omaha’s Nebraska Medical Center, had not been activated for the coronavirus outbreak as of Friday.

“It’s possible if an American citizen living elsewhere in the world develops the virus, the Biocontainment Unit could be used for treatment as it was with patients who had the Ebola virus in 2014,” Nebraska Medicine said in a frequently asked question post on its website, nebraskamed.com. “However, patients with the novel coronavirus may not require that level of care and may be cared for in a standard hospital room or in their home while practicing effective isolation methods.”

Despite the concerns about the new virus, public health officials have stressed that other diseases – such as the seasonal flu – pose a greater risk to Americans.

Flu activity in Douglas County remains elevated, according to the latest information from the Douglas County Health Department.

The county has seen eight outbreaks in long-term care facilities and one in a correctional facility.

Two pediatric influenza deaths have been reported in the county, along with seven influenza-linked deaths among elderly persons – although that tally may be higher, because such deaths are not required to be reported by law.

The Health Department says it is not too late to get vaccinated. Flu season lasts through April.

The best advice to avoid both the seasonal flu and coronavirus is to practice good hygiene and use common sense, according to Nebraska Medicine.

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes, especially with unwashed hands. Avoid contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, stay at home. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing. And disinfect frequently touched objects in your home, car and work environment.

This report contains material from The Associated Press.