Virus Outbreak

From the BBC:

“China coronavirus: A visual guide to the outbreak”

Experts say cases may not peak for another ten days  The new respiratory virus first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan has now infected almost 6,000 Chinese citizens. The virus has caused more than 130 deaths, spreading across China and to at least 16 other countries. The fast-spreading infection, which causes pneumonia-like symptoms, has prompted Chinese authorities to quarantine several major cities. 

1. Cases have been mainly in China:  Thousands of confirmed cases have been recorded across China, with central Hubei province the worst-affected. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is warning the number of cases is likely to rise further, and Chinese authorities have introduced a number of measures to try to halt the virus's spread. Travel restrictions have been imposed on a number of cities in Hubei province and people have been asked to wear face masks in public places. The Chinese government has also closed a number of temples, the Forbidden City and part of the Great Wall. The growing list of restrictions came at the beginning of a week-long holiday celebrating Lunar New Year - one of the most important dates in the Chinese calendar - when millions of people travel home. The national new year holiday was extended by three days, in an attempt to contain the spread. The WHO has not yet classed the virus as an "international emergency", partly because of the low number of overseas cases, but has said it "may yet become one". "Make no mistake, this is, though, an emergency in China," said WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

2. Hubei province has been particularly badly affected:  More than 3,500 cases have been recorded in Hubei province - the centre of the virus outbreak - which has also seen most of the deaths as a result of the virus. Restrictions on travel are affecting at least 20 million people across 10 cities - including the capital Wuhan, where the virus emerged. Its origins have been linked to illegally traded wildlife at the city's seafood market, which sells live animals including bats, rabbits and marmots. Wuhan - which has a population of 11 million people - has gone into lockdown, with authorities suspending flights and train services in and out of the city. Local officials said no-one from the city had left Wuhan in four days. "My university is checking every student's body temperature every day and are offering free masks. It also has its own hospital and ambulance," Chongthan Pepe Bifhowjit, an Indian student at the Wuhan University of Technology, told the BBC. Videos have been circulating on social media, reportedly taken by Wuhan residents, showing long queues at local hospitals. In a bid to tackle the increased demand for medical services, the authorities are building two makeshift hospitals, one with 1,000 beds and another with a capacity of 1,500 beds. State-owned news outlet China Global Television Network said the first could be ready by 3 February and the second by 5 February. More than 3,500 workers are involved in their construction.

3. There have been some cases elsewhere:  Outside China, more than 50 confirmed cases have been recorded in countries across the world from the US and Canada to France and Germany - but no other deaths have been reported. Other nations are investigating suspected cases. Many authorities have announced screening measures for passengers from China, including the major airport hubs of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Taiwan has banned people arriving from Wuhan, and the US state department warned its nationals to exercise increased caution in China. An expert from the Chinese National Health Commission (NHC) has said it could take 10 more days for the outbreak to peak. Australia, Japan, the US and EU nations are repatriating citizens from Wuhan, and quarantine measures will be imposed for those who return. 

 4. The symptoms are respiratory:  Coronaviruses are common, and typically cause mild respiratory conditions, such as a cough or runny nose. But some are more serious - such as the deadly Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers).  This outbreak - known as novel coronavirus (nCoV) - is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. It seems to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough and then, after a week, leads to shortness of breath. But in more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.  Most victims have been elderly people, suffering from other chronic diseases including Parkinson's and diabetes. Peter Piot, professor of global health and director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said the "good news" was that data suggested the virus may have a lower mortality than Sars. There was also a diagnostic test and greater global sharing of information than previously, he said. "And that is essential because you cannot deal with a potential pandemic in one country alone." There is not yet a specific anti-viral treatment for the infection, so people with the virus are currently being treated for their symptoms.

5. You can do things to reduce your chances of catching it:  The WHO is advising people in affected areas to follow standard procedures to reduce the chance of catching the virus. They include hand and respiratory hygiene as well as safe food practices. People are advised to avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections; wash hands regularly, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment; and avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals. Avoiding eating raw or undercooked animal products is also advised. Those with symptoms of coronavirus should practise "cough etiquette", including maintaining distance, covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or the inside of an elbow, and washing hands. The WHO has said that while there is evidence of transmission between people in close contact, such as families or those in healthcare settings, there is not yet evidence of onward transmission.

6. If a case is suspected, there are processes to follow:  The Chinese government has classified the outbreak in the same category as the Sars epidemic.  This means people diagnosed with the virus in the country must be isolated and can be placed in quarantine. Within healthcare facilities, the WHO advises staff to implement enhanced standard infection prevention and control practices, especially in emergency departments. The WHO advises that patients should be assessed quickly and treated for the level of severity of the disease they have - mild, moderate, or severe. It also recommends immediately implementing infection prevention measures. These include staff wearing protective clothing and limiting patient movement around the hospital. In the UK, family doctors - GPs - are being advised to place patients suspected of having coronavirus in isolation and avoid physical examinations. Official guidance from Public Health England (PHE) says patients should remain in a room away from other patients and staff and be prevented from using communal toilets. The UK government's emergency committee, Cobra, has held a meeting to discuss the outbreak.

^ This virus is an international problem that every country needs to address so that it stops spreading, infecting and killing people. ^

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51235105