Everything You Should Know About Novel Coronavirus- China

Many people across the world have diagnosed with the virus known as Coronavirus, whose initial impact is observed in the Chinese city of Wuhan. An outbreak of this new coronavirus has so far killed 107 people in Wuhan, China and 1300 new cases detected in 24 hours. There is confirmation of virus infection in many other countries like Japan and Thailand. Almost 4515 confirmed coronavirus cases detected worldwide, out of which 4409 cases are only from China.

Talking about India, recently 3 people placed under observation in Delhi and the government called a list of those asking Visas for China. As of now, the Health Ministry of India officials said that measures have been being taken and advised to prepare fast response teams to deal with possible cases of coronavirus in India. Thus it is essential to know and understand every aspect of this virus.

Here is what you need to know about Coronavirus. What is the origin of the virus? What are the primary symptoms of Coronavirus?

What is Coronavirus?

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and WHO, Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause respiratory disorders such as the common cold, breathing problems. In some cases, the viruses can cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchitis. These viruses are common among animals worldwide, but only some of them are known to affect humans. In rare cases, coronaviruses can evolve and spread from animals to humans.

Although human to human transmission has been confirmed by many health organizations. A different coronavirus was identified by Chinese health officials on January 7 and is currently named it as 2019-nCoV. This is a new type of virus that had not been previously identified in humans.

Where did the virus come from?

Chinese health authorities are still trying to determine the origin of the virus, but they said, this virus came from a seafood market in Wuhan where wildlife was also traded illegally. According to WHO, an animal is the primary source of this disorder and as per Chinese scientists snakes including the banded Krait and the Chinese Cobra may be the source of the newly discovered Coronavirus.

As the virus is first detected in Wuhan where people had visited a local seafood and animal market, though the health officials only saying that this virus is likely hopped from an animal to humans. In a new study, researchers sequenced the genes of 2019-nCoV and they compared it with the genetic sequences of more than 200 coronaviruses that infect various animals around the world. Their results suggested that 2019-nCoV likely arose from snakes.

What are its symptoms?

According to the WHO, signs of infection include fever, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. The incubation period of the coronavirus is not known yet. Some sources detected a period of 10 to 14 days. Other symptoms may include:

• Runny Nose
• Headache
• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Difficult breathing
• Unknown Incubation Period

Mode of Coronavirus Transmission

According to the CDC, the fundamental mode of transmission seems to be from animal to human. Coronaviruses are most commonly spread between an infected person and others through.

• Viral particles of cough and sneeze through air
• From close personal contact of an infected person such as touching or shaking hands
• Touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
• Fecal infection.

Updates on Coronavirus till now:

1. Myanmar installed a screening device on India’s border to check infection. People enter Myanmar via Moreh in Manipur. Moreh is a major centre of trade between India and Myanmar. The official said that Indian citizens are allowed to travel 16 km inside Myanmar every day for business. However, they have to return to India by 4 pm.

2. More than 600 Indians study in Wuhan, but most of them have returned to India due to New Year holidays. Approximately 300 students are still trapped in Wuhan. The Foreign Ministry official said that not all Indians going to China get registered in the Council. In such a situation it is difficult to find out the exact number of people.

3. Condition in India: Recently an Indian student of Ujjain returned from Wuhan has been admitted to the hospital along with his mother. According to the Union Health Ministry, thermal screening is being done at 7 airports in India including Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. One student from Jaipur, four from Hyderabad and one from Bihar are kept under observation after returning from China. Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Kerala have asked for the evacuation of Indians from the Center. It was decided to evacuate the Indians from Wuhan so Air India’s Boeing 747 aircraft is ready for operation.

4. Japan, Mongolia, France and other governments are also preparing evacuations of people trapped in China.

5. Coronavirus reached Europe from South Asia:  Aeroplanes and terminals of China are also under intense scrutiny due to virus infection. The first cases of infection with coronavirus have been reported in Sri Lanka, Canada and Germany. Till Monday, 8 cases have been confirmed in Thailand, 4 in South Korea and Japan, 5 in the US, Singapore and Australia, 2 in Vietnam, 3 in Malaysia, 3 in France, 6 in Macau.

Also Read: Top 5 Deadly Diseases Of The World

How you can protect yourself from Coronavirus?

There is no vaccine is discovered yet for this virus.  So it is recommended to follow WHO guidelines which they have provided for the general public to reduce exposure to and transmission of a range of illnesses which include hand and respiratory hygiene, and safe food practices which are as follows:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water or by hand sanitizer.
• While coughing and sneezing cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue and throw the tissue away immediately in the dustbin and wash hands properly.
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough.
• If you have fever, cough and difficulty in breathing then immediately seek medical care and share your recent travel history with your doctor.

• When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals.
• The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.

Source: CDC & WHO