The China virus belongs to the coronavirus family, the same one that causes cold, runny nose, and respiratory issues like pneumonia and bronchitis. The same family that previously caused SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) that plagued the world in 2003 and MERS (Middle East Respiratory syndrome) outbreak in 2012. However, the china virus isn’t similar to these two, and it’s a new strain that has claimed more than 200 lives so far and has affected more than 4500 people within a short period. This virus has been named as 2019-nCoV and was first observed in Wuhan city in December 2019. The fact that this is a newer pathogen, there are still some missing blanks on this virus information, but it definitely started with wild life (chief suspect are bats and poultry.
China is the place where people eat exotic food (“exotic: for us), and I mean alot of possible thing. So that mode of entry into human host is not ruled out. A study suggested that it was a snake or bat that could be the primary host, but it is still a theory. how ever transmission is from animal to humans, but as the presence of china virus outside China indicates, it can spread from human to human as well. There is still ongoing medical evaluation going on to identify all possible ways it’s spreading from human to human, but going by the viral origin and flu like symptoms, it definitely spreads like common cold or avian flu (H1N1) and involves catching it from droplet method (cough, sneeze and saliva) or coming in contact with infected surfaces.
The symptoms of it are fever, headache, cough and difficulty breathing, runny nose or cold, feeling of being unwell. The major risk is for very young and old age spectrum and others with compromised immunity or existing cardio respiratory distress or diseases.
Mostly infection is contained in China, with one case positive in Kerala. WHO has declared it a global emergency. Still, if you have been recently in touch with anyone visiting from China and you feel you may have been exposed to it, you should consult a doctor. So far the USA, France, Germany, Japan, Thailand, Nepal, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Singapore, Macau, Australia, Taiwan, South Korea, Canada, and Vietnam have reported infected patients. But no deaths have been reported outside China.
Over time vaccine will be developed against this disease, so proper medication, quarantine, monitoring and rest is the main treatment strategy.
Here are a few actions you can do to safeguard yourself; if you will be in contact with any one travelling out of china or will be/have been travelling any international route or international airport :
· Maintain proper hygiene, wash your hands whenever required.
· Refrain from traveling to China especially the Hubei and Wuhan districts.
. Good Idea to wear a mask in airport and in flight.
· Lastly, do not spread rumors and do not get panicked if you come across any. Act responsibly.
The checks to be taken if you develop sever flu like symptoms have reason to belive you may be exposed to the virus-
-Report to authorities and (quarantine) your self from other civilians.
· Patients will be treated in confined spaces, so as not to let the virus spread, with protective gear on people in contact.
“Love thy neighbor” is a popular notion, but sometimes loving involves maintaining distance and lending support other ways. Do that.