Coronavirus
- Garvit Arora
- Jan 25, 2020
- 3 min read
INTRODUCTION
It is a group of viruses that affect mammals and can lead to mild to severe symptoms which are linked with respiratory syndromes. We have known this group for more than 90 years, and the first strain of coronavirus (HCoV-229E) was discovered in 1931. Then why is it a cause of panic in 2020?
Well, as it turns out, we have discovered a new strain currently known as 2019-nCoV or novel coronavirus. Much about this virus is not known till now. Moreover, initially, the symptoms for the common cold and this deadly illness are the same.
WHAT WE KNOW
We are already familiar with two strains - SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.)
SARS was first identified in China in 2002 and the animal host suspected for this disease is believed to be bats or palm civets. Till date, no of cases encountered are approximately 8000 out of which 800 cases resulted in the death of the patient.
while MERS is said to have been originated in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and the suspected animal host are believed to be camels. Till date, the no of cases encountered is approximately 2500 out of which 850 cases resulted in the death of the patient.
From the data above, it is clear that MERS was far more dangerous than SARS, even though they belong to the same group of viruses.
Unlike SARS which had a single large outbreak, MERS is seen to have 10 to 12 relatively small outbreaks.
The outbreak of this new virus is linked to a seafood and animal market in Wuhan. It has likely originated in an animal(similar to MERS and SARS) and then got transmitted to a human.
At first, it was thought that the virus could only be transmitted from animal to human but the new reports confirmed that it can also spread from human to human contact which was based on the fact that people who did not visit the market still seem to have contracted the disease.
With the outbreak of SARS, its Genetic code(RNA)* changed quite spontaneously over the course of 3 months. So it is very hard to predict if it will be stable like most belonging to this group or if it will mutate and bring fourth change in its characteristics.
HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
As mentioned above coronavirus can spread through human to human contact by coughing sneezing within a range of 5-6 feet. The disease is also likely to be spread by contaminated surfaces, and air. On rare occasions, a coronavirus may spread through contact with faeces. Necessary precautions can lead to prevention of this disease. Till now there is no cure for this disease so patients are provided with protective care. Till now, there is no vaccine for the disease but scientists have been working on it. 1,300 people are infected and some 41 deaths are recorded so far. Though the major part of the disease is confined in China, it is rapidly spreading to many other parts of the world including United states, Hong Kong, Malaysia, France, Australia, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Macau, Japan and the Philippines.
Speaking at a press conference, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, said: "Make no mistake, this is an emergency in China."
SYMPTOMS
In the early stages of the disease, the symptoms are fever, fatigue and dry cough. As the illness progresses, patients may experience difficulty breathing. These early symptoms are common to minor disease such as common cold which makes it difficult to diagnose. It is best to wear masks to contain the disease.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
NHS Choices, NHS, www.nhs.uk/conditions/sars/.
“China Coronavirus: Cases 'Highly Likely' in the UK.” BBC News, BBC, 24 Jan. 2020, www.bbc.com/news/uk-51232163.
“Coronavirus.” Coronavirus - an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/coronavirus.
Edinger, Marie. “Deadly Coronavirus Is New Strain of Virus That We're Familiar With.” KMPH, KMPH, 24 Jan. 2020, kmph.com/news/local/deadly-coronavirus-is-new-strain-of-virus-that-were-familiar-with.
Edwards, Erika. “How Does the New Coronavirus Spread?” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 24 Jan. 2020, www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/how-does-new-coronavirus-spread-n1121856.
*The SARS virus has 13 known genes and 14 known proteins.
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\NICE