The 2019-novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
The detection of a South Korean woman on the 21st of January, 2020 marked the first official recorded incidence of the 2019 new Coronavirus. The woman had just returned from Wuhan in the Hubei Province of China running a high temperature.
On why it took the proactive step of the southern Korean health system to detect a disease that had origination in China fuels the speculation as to a possible insincerity on the part of the Chinese in bringing the world to alert of the emergence of the new disease. It gave a probable view on how this disease could have started at an even earlier period than its time of detection.
More likely the reason it had an earlier period attached to its nomenclature- 2019-nCov. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the nCoV was first reported on the 31st of December, 2019 from Wuhan, a city in China.
What's the Coronavirus?
Aside the novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MRS) and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) are among the earlier known disease strains caused by the Coronavirus. While MRS was reported to have emanated from dromedary camels and was confined to the Middle East, SARS had its origin from civet cats.
The Coronaviruses are a large group of zoonotic viruses that transmit infection from animals to man. According to the WHO, common signs include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing. In more severe cases, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death are likely occurrences.
The nCoV, whose origin is said to be the flesh market in Wuhan has not been traced to any particular animal as primary carrier or zoonotic transmitter. Human-to- infection of the new Coronavirus is primarily by respiratory means when droplets from infected persons are made to contact an individual through sneezing, coughing or by saliva.
Laboratory Testing
Testing is done by the reversed transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Incubation period, the time it takes for the infected to start manifesting clinical symptoms, is currently said to be between 1 to 12 days. Patients infected with the virus can transmit the disease even before they start showing significant clinical symptoms.
Prevention
Standard recommended means of prevention include closing of mouth and nostrils while sneezing or coughing. Ensure that animals products such as meat and eggs are properly cooked prior to eating.
Avoiding contact with anyone suspected to be showing any of the symptoms is also key to prevention. The infection rate as observed is very alarming, and human-to-human contact has not helped. Currently, the infection level is over 24 thousand.
Also, regular handwashing with soap and running water is very crucial. It's been noted that simple disinfectants can kill the virus making it no longer possible to infect people.
Treatment
To date, no specific medicine is recommended for treatment or for prevention. Those infected could be treated based on observed clinical symptoms.
On why it took the proactive step of the southern Korean health system to detect a disease that had origination in China fuels the speculation as to a possible insincerity on the part of the Chinese in bringing the world to alert of the emergence of the new disease. It gave a probable view on how this disease could have started at an even earlier period than its time of detection.
More likely the reason it had an earlier period attached to its nomenclature- 2019-nCov. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the nCoV was first reported on the 31st of December, 2019 from Wuhan, a city in China.
What's the Coronavirus?
Aside the novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MRS) and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) are among the earlier known disease strains caused by the Coronavirus. While MRS was reported to have emanated from dromedary camels and was confined to the Middle East, SARS had its origin from civet cats.
The Coronaviruses are a large group of zoonotic viruses that transmit infection from animals to man. According to the WHO, common signs include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing. In more severe cases, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death are likely occurrences.
The nCoV, whose origin is said to be the flesh market in Wuhan has not been traced to any particular animal as primary carrier or zoonotic transmitter. Human-to- infection of the new Coronavirus is primarily by respiratory means when droplets from infected persons are made to contact an individual through sneezing, coughing or by saliva.
Laboratory Testing
Testing is done by the reversed transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Incubation period, the time it takes for the infected to start manifesting clinical symptoms, is currently said to be between 1 to 12 days. Patients infected with the virus can transmit the disease even before they start showing significant clinical symptoms.
Prevention
Standard recommended means of prevention include closing of mouth and nostrils while sneezing or coughing. Ensure that animals products such as meat and eggs are properly cooked prior to eating.
Avoiding contact with anyone suspected to be showing any of the symptoms is also key to prevention. The infection rate as observed is very alarming, and human-to-human contact has not helped. Currently, the infection level is over 24 thousand.
Also, regular handwashing with soap and running water is very crucial. It's been noted that simple disinfectants can kill the virus making it no longer possible to infect people.
Treatment
To date, no specific medicine is recommended for treatment or for prevention. Those infected could be treated based on observed clinical symptoms.
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