Another Epidemic Virus Emerges: Here’s What You Need To Know About Coronavirus
On January 9, the World Health Organization, WHO confirmed the outbreak of a new coronavirus which was responsible for increased pneumonia cases in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
After monitoring the outbreak over a period of two weeks, the global health agency admitted that the virus which was first reported in December 2019 was gradually becoming a public health concern. Within this short period, the virus has spread abroad and there have been confirmed cases of infected persons in Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and recently, the United States.
With the continued spread of the virus, there are fears that the coronavirus may spread to Nigeria. Although there have not been any recorded cases of the outbreak in Africa yet, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says it is doubling down efforts to ensure that there wouldn’t be any public health crisis if the virus spreads to the country.
To stay abreast of the situation, here are some key facts about the coronavirus you need to know.
What is Coronavirus?
Coronavirus is what scientists call zoonotic virus, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. According to the WHO, coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe respiratory diseases that cause difficulty in breathing.
Where does the virus come from?
Preliminary investigations by Chinese authorities suggested that the Wuhan coronavirus was contracted from snakes, which were on sale at the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan.
How can you contract the virus?
Just like ebola, coronavirus is commonly spread from an infected person to others through the air or close personal contact. Although the first case was supposedly contracted from an animal, newer cases of the disease have been transmitted from humans to humans.
What are the symptoms of Coronavirus?
The symptoms of coronavirus include coughing, sneezing, fever and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, the virus can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death. It can take a week after getting infected before you begin to notice any symptoms.
How deadly is the virus?
Although coronavirus may become life-threatening when it degenerates into a more severe infection, it is mild and rarely causes death. Among the 540 reported cases, only 17 people have died so far.
Does it have any cure?
There is no specific treatment for coronavirus as it does not respond to antibiotics. Sometimes, in less severe cases, the symptoms go away on their own. Scientists are currently researching a possible cure.
How can you protect yourself?
To minimize the risk of contracting the virus, the World Health Organization advises that close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness, such as coughing and sneezing should be avoided.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control also added that anyone who experiences the symptoms should avoid self-medication, and report to the nearest health facility.
