31/01/2020
Chinese Corona virus
Corona virus is large, pleomorphic, enveloped RNA viruses. It contains a single molecule of linear, positive sense single stranded RNA and it replicates in cytoplasm. These viruses are common amongst animals worldwide, but only a handful of them are known to affect humans. Rarely, coronaviruses can evolve and spreads from animals to humans. The virus first emerged in Wuhan in 31st December 2019 and since then; china has confirmed 9 deaths with total cases rising to 440. Its origin is told to be a seafood market in Wuhan, which has been sealed off. The virus has spread to various other countries like Thailand, Japan, the republic of Korea, the United States, Australia, and France among others.
The first U.S case was confirmed on Jan.21 in a man in Washington State who had recently traveled to Wuhan. On Jan.24 officials confirmed a second case in a woman from Chicago who had also recently traveled to Chinese city. Both cases were hospitalized, but doing well official said. The CDC is also investigating more than 60 people in 22 states for a possible infection with the new virus, officials said Friday. Eleven of these people have so far tested negative for the virus. The countries have already identified confirmed cases of corona virus including China 440, Thailand 2, Japan 1, South Korea 1, U.S 1, and Australia 1.
These are the viruses that cause disease in other animals and birds and essentially cross over into human beings. The SARS crisis and the Middle East Respiratory syndrome (MERS) are examples. MERS came from camels and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) from cats and it is thought that this virus came from snakes but we are not sure. This one is known as 2019-nCoV.
This virus causes respiratory symptoms like fever, cough, and shortness of breath headache, running nose, sore throat, pneumonia and general feeling of being unwell. The symptoms appear in 2 days to 14 days after exposure. But in some cases this can be serious and specially in the elderly or people with pre-existing conditions. Dozens of people have already died, most have been elderly.
Transmission of virus takes place from animals to humans. Now people to people transmission is also happening, it is currently not clear, how fast it spreads from people to people. But droplets of respiratory fluids are thought to enable people to people transmission of the virus.
If you think you have been infected it is important to seek medical treatment immediately. Wear face masks and be careful who you come into contact with so you do not infect others. As a precautionary measure,wear face masks specially in public and around those who are coughing and sneezing. Wash your hands with often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Also stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
In Pakistan we do not have any laboratory which can detect presence of the virus and it is more difficult, the government is setting up treatment centers, but we should avoid crowded places. Taking precautions is the most important thing, panic would not solve anything. We have had these outbreaks before and precaution and good hygiene is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself. There is no cure and no vaccine of this virus, treatment is to relieve symptoms. Generally our body will fight the virus on its own, but it is not easy. A vaccine may take up to a year to be developed. Precaution and not getting infected is our best bet.
