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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. 13^th 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 24^th. 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).

https://nypost.com/2020/01/24/coronavirus-in-china-officials-rush-to-build-hospital-in-10-days/?utm_campaign=iosapp&utm_source=mail_app

https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/22/health/snakes-wuhan-coronavirus-outbreak-conversation-partner/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p0117-coronavirus-screening.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html

https://www.directrelief.org/2020/01/as-authorities-work-to-contain-wuhan-coronavirus-direct-relief-prepares-to-assist/

https://nypost.com/2020/01/24/second-us-case-of-coronavirus-confirmed-in-chicago/?utm_campaign=iosapp&utm_source=mail_app