IN December 2019, an outbreak of a rare flue like virus was reported in China and has since infected hundreds since it was diagnosed in Wuhan, China.
By Michael Gwarisa
Chinese health expert and scientist who first decoded the virus believes the virus which could be a cousin to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus which killed hundreds of people a few year back could have started in animals and spread to humans.
On 31 December 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) was informed of a cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. A novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was identified as the causative virus by Chinese authorities on 7 January.
On 10 January, WHO published a range of interim guidance for all countries on how they can prepare for this virus, including how to monitor for sick people, test samples, treat patients, control infection in health centres, maintain the right supplies, and communicate with the public about this new virus.
The virus is highly contagious and can easily be spread from one person to another and numerous cases have already been reported in countries neighbouring China. As of January 20, 2020, 282 confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV have been reported from four countries including China (278 cases), Thailand (2 cases), Japan (1 case) and the Republic of Korea (1 case);. Cases in Thailand, Japan and Republic of Korea were exported from Wuhan City, China according to WHO.
Among the 278 cases confirmed in China, 258 cases were reported from Hubei Province, 14 from Guangdong Province, five from Beijing Municipality and one from Shanghai Municipality. The virus has also recorded fatalities in Wuhan City where 60 new confirmed cases were recorded and three deaths.
Most United States Airlines have already ramped efforts to screen individuals arriving from China and all the affected countries for possible signs of infection. Even though Zimbabwe is located thousands of miles away from the source of the Coronavirus, it remains at greater risk considering the amount of traffic the country gets from Chinese nationals who come into the country for tourism, business and political bilateral visits.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industries and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), numbers of tourists from Asian countries including China have been on the increase and in 2018, Zimbabwe received 19 000 tourists from Asian countries alone.
Zimbabwe over the years has exhibited massive resilience and preparedness in terms of screening and diagnosing tropical diseases and other highly contagious ailments such as Ebola at point of entries. However, the prevailing woes bedevilling the health sector could expose Zimbabwean citizens to infection if proper screening and control measures are not activated.
FACTS About Coronavirus (Source: CNN)
Coronavirus symptoms
The viruses can make people sick, usually with a mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illness, similar to a common cold. Coronavirus symptoms include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, possibly a headache and maybe a fever, which can last for a couple of days.
For those with a weakened immune system, the elderly and the very young, there’s a chance the virus could cause a lower, and much more serious, respiratory tract illness like a pneumonia or bronchitis.
How it spreads
Viruses can spread from human contact with animals. Scientists think MERS started in camels, according to the WHO. With SARS, scientists suspected civet cats were to blame.
When it comes to human-to-human transmission of the viruses, often it happens when someone comes into contact with the infected person’s secretions.
Depending on how virulent the virus is, a cough, sneeze or handshake could cause exposure. The virus can also be transmitted by touching something an infected person has touched and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. Caregivers can sometimes be exposed by handling a patient’s waste, according to the CDC.
Is There Treatment For CoronaVirus
There is no specific treatment. Most of the time, symptoms will go away on their own.
Doctors can relieve symptoms by prescribing a pain or fever medication. The CDC says a room humidifier or a hot shower can help with a sore throat or cough. Drink plenty of fluids, get rest and sleep as much as possible. If symptoms feel worse than a standard cold, see your doctor.
How can you can prevent it
There is no vaccine to protect against this family of viruses, at least not yet. Trials for a MERS vaccine are underway.
You may be able to reduce your risk of infection by avoiding people who are sick. Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Wash your hands often with soap and water and for at least 20 seconds.
If you are sick, stay home and avoid crowds and contact with others.
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and disinfect the objects and surfaces you touch.
Coronavirus and pregnancy
In pregnant women, the more severe versions of MERS and SARS coronaviruses can be serious. There are cases in which a woman infected with MERS had a stillbirth, a 2014 study showed.
SARS-associated illnesses were linked to cases of spontaneous abortion, maternal death and critical maternal illness, a 2004 study found.
Coronavirus and cats, dogs and other animals
Pets can catch coronaviruses and the infections can become severe. Sometimes the viruses can lead to deadly diseases. One can cause feline infectious peritonitis in cats and something called a pantropic canine coronavirus can infect cats and dogs, according to a 2011 study.
Cats can catch SARS, but none of the infected cats developed symptoms, according to the study. The feline coronavirus typically is asymptomatic, but can cause mild diarrhea. Feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP, can cause flu-like symptoms for a cat, but can also be more serious for cats and can cause organ failure, but it is not contagious and will not spread from animal to animal or person to person.
Pantropic canine coronavirus that can impact cats and dogs can be fatal to dogs, studies show.
These particular dog and cat viruses don’t seem to spread to humans.
