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New Coronavirus Outbreak 2019

Posted on2020-01-28 by secure

New outbreak of coronavirus 2019

Description of

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an outbreak of disease originating in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, caused by a novel coronavirus (known as New Coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV)). Initial cases of this virus have been associated with a specific seafood and animal market in Wuhan. Additional cases have been identified in people who have not visited this market, but have visited other markets or interacted with infected individuals.

The virus

The disease is being caused by a newly identified coronavirus, Coronavirus 2019-nCoV. Coronaviruses are common and usually cause respiratory symptoms and mild to moderate colds, although certain varieties of coronaviruses have caused more severe illness. This newly identified virus belongs to the same family as the viruses that cause Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which was first identified in Asia in 2003, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which was identified in 2012 and still occurs today. A primary initial animal reservoir for the virus that caused SARS is thought to be civet cats that infected other animals, while the initial animal reservoir for the virus that causes MERS is thought to be dromedaries (e.g., camels). The reservoir for 2019-nCov is not yet known.

Effects on Health

The symptoms of the disease associated with this novel coronavirus are similar to those caused by influenza and other respiratory diseases and include cough, shortness of breath and fever. A small number of people infected with this new coronavirus have died.

Transmission

This new coronavirus was originally transmitted to humans through an animal reservoir (source), which is believed to be an animal that in the initial cases was in the seafood and animal market in Wuhan.

Authorities have confirmed that person-to-person transmission has also occurred. Secondary cases (contacted from humans rather than a reservoir) include both members of the public and healthcare workers who have had contact with other infected people and have occurred in several countries besides China.

Recommendations to the Council

WHO recommends that everyone wash their hands regularly, cover their nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, and avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing or sneezing or who shows signs of respiratory illness. The WHO also recommends proper cooking of meat and eggs. At this time, WHO has not made any recommendations for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators, by the general public.

WHO has published a guide for healthcare workers (HWs), healthcare managers and teams working in infection prevention and control. The WHO recommends that eye protection (glasses or a mask) be worn during contact with the patient along with gloves, a medical mask and a liquid-resistant coat. In the case of persons exposed to aerosol-generating procedures, precautions to be taken include the use of N95 respirators, FFP2 or equivalent.

https://www.who.int/publications-detail/infection-prevention-and-control-during-health-care-when-novel-coronavirus-(ncov) -infection is suspected

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that people who enter a hospital or clinic room (in a health care facility) with a suspected case of the novel coronavirus use standard protective measures, contact and respiratory precautions, as well as eye protection (glasses or face coverings). See the CDC website for additional information on infection control.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/infection-control.html

Persons potentially in contact with suspected or confirmed cases of this novel coronavirus should review all recommendations from WHO, CDC and other health authorities.

Summary

A new coronavirus has been identified, which has caused cases of pneumonia-like symptoms in people who have been in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and cases have now been identified outside China. The situation is evolving and it is recommended that all concerned check the WHO and US CDC websites frequently for the most up-to-date information on this situation.