In recent years, the outbreaks have made a significant impact on lives and the fact – situation is getting worse. We are seeing the big virus outbreaks such as Chikungunya, Nipah, Ebola, and Lassa fever. Now the Coronavirus(CoV) outbreak in Wuhan, China.
According to early reports, the Coronavirus death toll in China raises to 41 and more than 1200 cases were estimated. Chinese government has restricted travelling of more than 10 million people across the country as the medical fraternities are struggling to manage the outbreak burden.
The World Health Organisation has declared the Coronavirus outbreak an emergency in China, but not yet a global health emergency.
By the timing of the spread and the pattern of the outbreak within a country and between countries, we should identify the means of spreading virus as early as possible. The viruses must live somewhere. They can only replicate in living creatures. Once the outbreak disappears, the virus must be living in some reservoir host, presumably in some animals.
Though the origin is not clear, it is first appeared in 1960s. The similar outbreak already appeared as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Middle east countries and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in southern China. These are also types of coronaviruses.
It is more common in the fall and winter, but anyone can come down with a coronavirus infection at any time. It causes an infection in your nose, sinuses, or upper throat and sometimes a fever. The symptoms are generally like upper respiratory infection like coughing and sneezing. And the symptoms may go away in a few days.
But if Coronavirus infection spreads to the lower tract (Windpipe and Lungs), it can cause pneumonia, especially in older people, people with heart disease, or people with weakened immune systems.
Coronavirus outbreak and India
I was reading a news yesterday that India intensified measures to check passengers for the life-threatening outbreak even as three people who had recently travelled to China were hospitalised in the country siting the same symptoms of the disease.
At the same time, Indian government is worried over the scenario as Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the virus outbreak, houses large number of Indians particularly students at different Chinese universities.
It has been said that, around 23,000 Indian students are studying in China, and considerable number of them are at Wuhan Medical University.
The passengers are screened at more than 12 airports. Also, AIIMS in Delhi confirmed that it has kept ready an isolation ward and kept ready all the perspective gear to handle any spread of the virus, according to a report published in livemint.
Some Preventive facts
Coronavirus may affect both humans and animals. It can spread by touching an infected person’s hands or face, or by touching things such as doorknobs that infected people have touched.
As there is no vaccine for Coronavirus, maintaining personal hygiene has its own importance in any case. Taking below mentioned preventive steps is justified.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Use mask as much as possible. Also, cover your nose when someone is coughing or sneezing around you.
- Keep your hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Avoid going to crowded places and close contact with people who are infected.
- You treat a Coronavirus infection the same way you treat a cold:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink fluids.
- Take over-the-counter medicine according to symptoms.
- A humidifier or steamy shower can also help ease a sore and scratchy throat.
It is very much common in U.S. and is not a serious threat for an otherwise healthy adult. If you get sick, treat your symptoms and contact a doctor if they get worse or don’t go away.
The information published is for the educational purpose only, and not to provide medical advice. If you have any symptoms, please talk to your doctor.
