The ongoing spread of the coronavirus across China and other parts of the world has raised continued global concern, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring coronavirus a Public Health Emergency of International concern.
WHO indicates that the majority of coronavirus cases have been reported in the Hubei province in China where the outbreak started and has been linked to a seafood, poultry and live wildlife market.
What is the international impact of the Coronavirus?
The majority of the “exported cases” have a travel history from the Chinese province, have been reported in a number of countries around the world including Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, India, the Philippines, US, Germany, Italy, Finland and France.
As of 5 March 2020, the first confirmed case of the Coronavirus has been reported in South Africa, according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.
“The fact that some people appear to suffer only mild illness as a result of infection, while others have become severely sick, has made it difficult for global health authorities to establish the exact extent to which the virus is being passed between people at this time and even the true numbers of people who may have been infected,” says Dr Pete Vincent of Netcare Travel Clinics.
Visit the National Institute for Communicable Diseases Coronavirus toolkit here.
What are the signs and symptoms of Coronavirus?
Those who have fallen ill from the coronavirus reportedly suffer coughs, fever and breathing problems. The virus can cause severe respiratory difficulties, and lead to pneumonia, sepsis and even organ failure in severe cases. As is the case with other viral infections, antibiotics are not an effective means of treatment and it appears that people who are in poor health are at greatest risk of complications from the infection. The WHO reports that the current estimates of the incubation period of the virus range from two to 10 days.
How can you protect yourself from the Coronavirus?
The following simple precautions, which are based on WHO recommendations, can assist to reduce exposure to and transmission of the virus:
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Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap, towel drying them properly. An alcohol-based hand rub can also be used.
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Avoid close contact with others who have coughs, chest infections and/or fevers.
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Avoid touching your face, mouth and eyes with your hands.
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Avoid direct, unprotected contact with farm or wild animals, particularly when visiting live markets in affected areas. Preferably avoid such markets.
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Avoid eating raw or undercooked animal products and exercise care when handling raw meat, milk or animal organs to prevent potential cross-contamination with uncooked foods.
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Although facemasks do not provide complete protection from the infection from an airborne disease such as this, they may provide at least some additional defence against infection.
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Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or a flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing.
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