WHAT ARE CORONAVIRUSES?
CORONAVIRUS
WHAT ARE CORONAVIRUSES?
Coronaviruses are a rather large family of viruses that can cause diseases. Many strains of the virus affect birds and mammals including humans. The coronavirus can cause illnesses such as common cold to more serious diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). Coronaviruses are usually zoonotic, that means they are transmitted between animals and people.
THE ORIGIN OF 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (2019-nCoV).
According to the World Health Organization, the 2019 novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans was first reported in Wuhan, China, on Dec. 31, 2019. Global health authorities are yet to pin point its exact origin but early hypothesis links this new strain to a sea market in Wuhan China. Recent information suggests that the first person got sick on Dec. 1, 2019.
HOW ARE THEY TRANSMITTED?
Early information suggests that majority of people infected in Wuhan had some form of contact at a sea market. However, recent cases include people who had no prior link with the sea market which suggest that it is transmitted from person to person via contact with infected bodily fluids like droplets from coughing or sneezing, contact with infected surfaces and also infected animals.
SYMPTOMS OF 2019-nCoV
Infected people exhibit cold or flu like symptoms within two to four days of contracting the
virus. The symptoms are usually mild but can be fatal in rare cases. Symptoms also varies
from person to person.
1. Sneezing
2. Coughing
3. Fatigue
4. Fever
5. Acute respiratory problems, organ failure and death (rare cases)
DIAGNOSIS
Physical diagnosis may prove difficult as the symptoms are quite similar to that of the flu or cold. However, proper diagnosis can be achieved with laboratory tests.
PREVENTION
1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
2. Use alcohol based sanitizer if water is not available.
3. Avoid contact with infected people, surfaces and animals.
4. Use facemasks and gloves when entering infected areas.
5. Keep all contact surfaces clean.
6. Maintain strict hygiene at home.
TREATMENT
There is no cure yet for this strain of the coronavirus. However it can be managed by giving symptomatic cure (this means giving remedies to symptoms).
CURRENT STATISTICS (AFFECTED COUNTRIES, CONFIRMED CASES AND DEATHS)
This report is according to World Health Organization’s Situation Report as at Feb. 9, 2020
1. 26 Countries have reported at least one confirmed case of the 2019-nCoV.
2. 37,558 confirmed cases globally with 99.2% of cases in China.
3. 6,188 severe cases in China.
4. 812 deaths recorded globally with 99.9% in China.
CONTAINMENT PROCEDURES
The spread of this new strain of coronavirus is closely monitored by, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and health organizations like El-Rapha Hospitals and Diagnostics. People arriving from affected countries are being screened at airports and in some cases placed under quarantine if they show symptomatic signs. There has been no reported case on the African continent. We will provide more update as we get them.