CORONAVIRUS AS OF
JANUARY 24, 2020
When a new virus strain emerges that is not yet identified,
as with the Corona Virus, it becomes known as “novel”.
In 2019, Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) a virus (more
specifically, a coronavirus) was identified as the cause of an outbreak of
respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China, a city located about 500 miles
from Shanghai. Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan
reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting
animal-to-person spread. However, a
growing number of patients reportedly did not have exposure to animal markets,
suggesting person-to-person spread is occurring. At this time it is unclear how
easily this virus is spreading between people. The market closed its doors on
Jan. 1, 2020.
China is rushing to build a 1,000 bed hospital in 6 days, as
this virus has killed 26 people and infected about 830 more. The virus has
spread to 13 provinces in China, and cases are confirmed in Thailand, South
Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Singapore. Two cases have now turned up in the U.S.
A Washington state man in his 30s has been diagnosed after returning from a
solo trip to Wuhan and a 60-year old Chicago woman who returned from Wuhan on
Jan. 13th is in the hospital and is currently in stable condition
and doing well. The CDC is examining 63 patients in 22 states for possible
coronavirus infection.
People suspected of carrying the virus are encouraged to wear
an N95 mask to prevent airborne transmission, as well as health providers who
also wear personal protective gear according to the World Health Organization
(WHO) guidelines.
Starting on January 17, 2020, travelers from Wuhan to the
United States have been required to undergo entry screening at various airports
for symptoms associated with this virus.
As of January 24, 2020 there are five U.S. airports involved in such
screenings: San Francisco, New York (JFK), Atlanta,
Chicago, and Los Angeles (LAX) airports. The “Center for Disease Control (CDC) believes
the immediate risk to the U.S. public is low at this time, but the situation is
evolving rapidly,” Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for
Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said on a conference call with reporters
January 24th. Nevertheless, CDC is taking proactive preparedness
precautions.
Snakes, the Chinese krait and the Chinese cobra, may be the
original source of this virus. The name “Coronavirus” comes from its shape,
which resembles a crown or solar corona when imaged using an electron
microscope. Coronavirus is transmitted through the air. It can infect both
upper and lower airways and cause severe respiratory illness and other
complications in humans. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine or antiviral
treatment available at this time.
This outbreak is another reminder that people should limit
the consumption of wild animals to avoid zoonotic infections (infections
that spread from animals to humans).
