In terms of health, 2020 seems to have got off to a bad start with confirmation by China that the new ongoing virus that struck the country a couple of weeks ago is highly contagious and can be spread between humans. As per latest reports creating headlines across the world, a total of almost 440 cases have been reported thus far.
The biggest fear of an outbreak because of the holiday season in China
The Coronavirus spreading across China threatens to spiral out of control because of the time it has chosen to strike. In a few days from now, the Chinese will be celebrating the Lunar New Year, a time when millions travel across the country and abroad visiting relatives and friends. As the largest annual human migration on Earth, it could well be the bane of the government trying its best to arrest the spread of the deadly virus. The outbreak has out the whole of Asia on high alert where countries like India plan to screen visitors from China remembering well how the SARS outbreak affected the country in 2002 and 2003.
It first surfaced in a fish market in Wuhan China
When the Coronavirus first surfaced in the city of Wuhan in January 2020, officials couldn’t identify it as the disease attacked people who suffered symptoms similar to viral pneumonia. Officials were worried they were being faced with another outbreak of the dreaded SARS or severe acute respiratory syndrome which infected more than 8000 people across 26 countries in 2002. The outbreak that started in China claimed a total of 750 lives, 349 in China alone as per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although The WHO declared China SARS free in 2004, the new viral outbreak scared officials into believing it was back with a vengeance.
Of the initial 44 cased detected with what now has been confirmed as the coronavirus, many were from Wuhan’s Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market that has been officially shut down till further notice reported the South China Morning Post. Airports in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan have started screening passengers suffering from fever in a bid to identify those at risk. In the latest reports, the toll of those affected with the coronavirus has now risen to 440. It has now been reported that the CDC has also confirmed one case of a 30-year-old man from Washington State who has been infected with the virus.
Human transmission of the coronavirus has been confirmed by a Chinese health department
A CNN report said that China’s National Health Commission has confirmed that the coronavirus can be passed from human to human where medical staff was also affected. The confirmation came from China’s NHC head investigator Zhong Nanshan who confirmed two cases where the virus spread from person to person. What was concerning was the fact that the two also lived hundreds of miles from Wuhan proving that the virus is slowly spreading its tentacles to other parts of the country.
Cases have surfaced in South Korea, Thailand and Japan
On the international level, so far three countries have confirmed cases. South Korea confirmed its first case. While three cases earlier had been reported from Japan and South Korea. In all three cases, the people had visited Wuhan. The figure of 300 threatens to increase as cases have also been reported from Beijing, Shanghai, and almost 14 from the southern province of Guangdong. Additional cases have been suspected from the eastern Shandong province to Sichuan province in the southwest. According to Poon a virologist at the School of Public Health at The University of Hong Kong, “What we know is it causes pneumonia and then doesn’t respond to antibiotic treatment, which is not surprising, but then in terms of mortality, SARS kills 10% of the individuals.”
What is the coronavirus?
The coronavirus belongs to a large group of viruses that usually affects animals and according to the CDC, they could become zoonotic meaning they could be transmitted from animals to humans but this happens rarely and this is one of the rare instances of the virus becoming zoonotic. Why this happens has still baffled scientists worldwide states the CDC. Human coronaviruses are common across the world where seven types are now known by scientists which can infect people making them ill. Two newer human coronaviruses, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, have been known to frequently cause severe illness believed to have originated from camels. The latest coronavirus is being regarded as another novel virus and because it has originated from the seafood market in Wuhan, it means that this is one of the rare instances when the virus has become zoonotic.
Coronavirus symptoms
Like the MERS-CoV infection, those suffering from the new coronavirus also experience severe acute respiratory illness, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Those infected can experience from mild to moderate to severe symptoms depending on the health condition of the individual. Common coronavirus symptoms include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, and possibly a headache and fever, which can last for a couple of days. Those with low immunity, the elderly and young children are at risk of a more severe condition where the virus could cause a respiratory tract illness like pneumonia or bronchitis.
How it spreads
The coronavirus can spread from human contact with animals and scientists feel that MERS. Scientists think MERS or Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome started in camels, according to the WHO. Scientists feel that SARS was transmitted to humans by civet cats. The present coronavirus can also be spread when a human can come in contact with the secretions produced by those infected. Thus you could contract the disease by a simple handshake depending where the infected person’s hand has been. Caregivers can also contract the disease when handling a patient’s waste.
Coronavirus treatment
No treatment has been devised as yet for the new coronavirus and symptoms can disappear in time. Pain and fever medication can relieve pain as prescribed only by a doctor. The CDC also suggests using a room humidifier or hot showers and warm soothing drinks to soothe the throat and cough. Patients need to drink plenty of fluid and get complete rest for recovery. When symptoms graduate from a common cold, see a doctor immediately.
Coronavirus prevention
As of now, there is no coronavirus vaccination but prevention can be done through healthy lifestyle practices such as avoiding infected people, touching your mouth, nose and eyes. Hands should be washed for 20 seconds each time you enter your home after going out. Those who are infected are advised to stay in bed and avoid being in contact with others. Always cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze.