2019 Novel Corona Virus Outbreak was first detected in Wuhan , China, and soon spread to other major countries globally including USA, UK, UAE , Hongkong, Australia among other countries. Over sixty thousand cases have been detected up-to-date. India has also reported three confirmed cases.
It is caused by a new strain of Corona Virus called COVID -19 which is a Beta corona virus. Corona virus are a group of zoonotic viruses that cause disease in animals such as camels, cats and bats. Rarely these viruses can infect humans. Early cases of this disease in China had some link to a large seafood and live animal market suggestive of animal to human spread. Person to person spread has been reported in countries outside China.
Transmission of this virus from person to person is via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes and the droplets land on the mouth or nasal mucosa of people who are nearby. It is currently unclear whether a person can get COVID -19 by touching a surface or object that has virus on it .
People who have been in China within past two weeks, caretakers of patients with established COVID-19 infection and health professionals involved in the care of such patients are at serious risk. The incubation period is 2-14 days after exposure. Most patients show symptoms within 5- 6 days.
Patients typically develop mild to severe respiratory illness. Warning symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In most severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, kidney failure and even death.
WHO analysis shows that while 82 percent of cases are mild, about 15 percent progress to severe and 3 percent are critical. Most of the fatal cases were in senior citizens and people with underlying conditions like Diabetes and Hypertension. Lab diagnosis is based on Serological tests and Viral culture. Treatment is largely symptomatic.
As there is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection,the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. General public has been issued a list of recommendation by CDC to prevent the spread of infection. Here is the list of do’s and don’ts.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes , nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Stay Home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue. Discard tissue in trash.
Wash your hands with soap and water frequently.
If soap and water are not available ,you may use alcohol based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Use of face mask [ CDC guideline ] –
People who are well do not need to wear masks.
People with symptoms of 2019 Novel Corona virus and care takers need to wear mask.
