Epidemiology
Wuhan is a modern city located more than 1,035 kilometers south of the Chinese capital, Beijing. The emergence of the Extraordinary Pneumonia Incident in the city in early 2020 was very surprising, after it was discovered that it was caused by a corona virus that had never been known to attack humans. Human Corona Virus (HCoV) was first isolated in the 1960s, and so far there are six types of HCoV namely HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-HKU1, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (SARS-CoV), and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The last two viruses can cause severe lung infections and even death, and are considered a global public health emergency. Phylogenetically, 2019-nCoV is very closely related to SARS-CoV and quite close to MERS-CoV. To date, infection by 2019-nCoV has been detected in 2019-nCoV Thailand, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Singapore, as well as in some areas of China itself. The number of sufferers currently reaches more than 400 people, 17 of whom died (CFR 3.4%). This figure will probably continue to increase.
Diagnosis
Symptoms caused by nCoV-2019 infection are generally fever, cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. In more severe cases, this viral infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and death. The WHO case definition is a person with severe acute respiratory illness who, in the 14 days prior to the onset of illness, had one of the following exposures: close physical contact with a confirmed case of 2019-nCoV infection; or a health facility in a country where hospital-associated 2019-nCoV infection has been reported; or visiting or working in live animal markets in Wuhan, China, or direct contact with animals (if animal sources are identified) in countries where 2019-nCoV is known to be circulating in animal populations or where human infection has occurred as a result of zoonotic transmission (WHO / 2019-nCoV / Surveillance / v2020.2). The diagnosis can be confirmed if the 2019-nCoV virus can be found from clinical specimens (Nasopharyngeal or Oropharyngeal swab), or an increase in specific antibody titers is obtained through serological tests.
Transmission
On January 21, a high-level expert team of China’s National Health Commission confirmed person-to-person transmission of 2019-nCoV and infection among medical staff. Human coronaviruses are most commonly spread from an infected person to others through the air by coughing and sneezing (airborne transmission); close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands; after touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands. The 2019-nCoV virus can also be transmitted from animals to humans (zoonosis).
Prevention and Treatment
There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for diseases caused by 2019-nCoV. However, many clinical symptoms are treatable and hence treatment is based on the clinical condition of the patient.
The public is asked to understand and be vigilant, but there is no need to panic. Some of the precautions that can be taken such as :
- Avoid contact with suspected infected patients, especially those with a recent history of traveling from China.
- Get used to washing hands with soap or alcohol (hand rub) and running water.
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue or mask
- Cooking poultry meat and eggs thoroughly and hygienically
- Clean and Healthy Lifestyle (PHBS) can prevent transmission and spread of infection 2019-nCoV
Health workers who directly or indirectly treat or come into contact with patients suspected of or confirmed to be infected by 2019-nCoV are required to apply universal precautions (Contact, Droplet, and Airborne Precaution) in infection control in hospitals or health facilities, to ensure that no transmission occurs to others. other patients, health workers, visitors, and the wider community.
Reference:
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html
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