Why Is novel Coronavirus Causing A Health Emergency?

novel Coronavirus covid-19
(Last Updated On: July 17, 2022)

What is a novel Coronavirus that has the power to lock down the world? How a small virus could affect the world economy, stop all flights and trains, and control the movement of vehicles and people? What is the power of the COVID-19 virus to force people all over the world to stay at home? World Health Organisation published a small animation video explaining the details of the novel Coronavirus that is causing a health emergency.

What Is A novel Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. Source: WHO

What do you know about the novel Coronavirus that is causing a health emergency?

In December 2019 there was a cluster of pneumonia cases in China. Investigations found that it was caused by a previously unknown virus now named the 2019 novel coronavirus. In this video, we’ll take a quick look at what’s currently known about the novel Coronavirus.

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How This Virus Got The Name Corona?

Coronaviruse covid-19
How This Virus Got The Name Corona?

Keep in mind that this is a new virus and what’s known about the virus now might change in the future. Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that consist of a core of genetic material surrounded by an envelope with protein spikes. This gives it the appearance of a crown and in Latin is called Corona and that’s how these viruses get their name.

Different Types Of Coronaviruses

There are different types of coronaviruses that cause respiratory and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms. Respiratory disease can range from the common cold to pneumonia and in most people, the symptoms tend to be mild. However, there are some types of coronaviruses that can cause severe disease. These include severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Coronavirus was first identified in China in 2003 and in the Middle East. Respiratory syndrome coronavirus was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

The 2019 novel coronavirus was first identified in China. It initially occurred in a group of people with pneumonia who’d been associated with seafood and live animal market in the city of Wuhan. The disease has since spread from those who were sick to others including family members and health care staff. There are many cases at present and the disease has spread within China and also to a number of other countries.

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Origin Of COVID-19

So where did the virus come from? It’s known that coronaviruses circulate in a range of animals. Sometimes these viruses can make the jump from animals to humans. This is called spillover and could be due to a range of factors such as mutations in the virus or increased contact between humans and animals

For example, Murska-COV is known to be transmitted from camels and Tsarskoe V from civet cats. The animal reservoir of the 2019 novel coronavirus is not known yet.

Transmission

How is it transmitted? The exact mix of how the virus is transmitted is yet to be determined. In general, respiratory viruses are usually transmitted through droplets created when an infected person coughs or sneezes or through something that has been contaminated with the virus. People most at risk of infection from the novel coronavirus are those in close contact with animals, such as live animal market workers and those who are caring for people infected with the virus, such as family members or health care workers.

Read Coronavirus Basic Protective Measures – WHO – COVID19

Symptoms Of COVID-19

So how does the disease present? Well, from what is known so far there can be a number of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. There can be fever and respiratory symptoms such as coughing, and shortness of breath. In more severe cases there’s been pneumonia, kidney failure and death. The mortality rate is not known yet.

How Can Identify novel Coronavirus Infection?

The infection can be diagnosed by a test called PCR or polymerase chain reaction. This test identifies the virus based on its genetic fingerprint. There is currently no specific medication for the virus and treatment is supportive care. There’s currently no vaccine to protect against the virus. Treatment and vaccines are in development.

How Do We Prevent Transmission Of The novel Coronavirus?

This new virus currently has a limited geographic spread. However, there are a number of standard hygiene practices that have been recommended to protect against infection and further spread. These include covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a medical mask, tissue or flexed elbow. Avoiding close contact with those who are unwell. The appropriate use of masks and personal protective equipment especially in a healthcare setting. Washing hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub. Actions that can be taken to prevent infection from an animal source include avoiding unnecessary unprotected contact with animals and washing hands after contact with animals or animal products. And ensuring that animal products are cooked thoroughly before they’re consumed.

It’s important to stay home if you’re feeling unwell. But if you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early and share your previous travel history with your healthcare provider. That’s a quick look at this emerging infectious disease given that this outbreak is evolving rapidly.

This video and transcript are published by WHO on 31 Jan 2020 and hence some information is not updated. Source of Transcript – WHO

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Final Thoughts

Viruses are very small and not visible through the human eye. We are familiar with small virus diseases. But some viruses are very dangerous and epidemic. The present one, the novel Coronavirus is declared a pandemic by WHO because it has spread in many countries in the world. It affected human life, the economy and much more than ever expected. This virus proved that human and their new technologies can’t prevent or destroy this virus. Also proved that a very small virus can control the whole world and lock down the entire system making fear in the mind and sleepless nights for humans.

Let’s join hands together with all the health departments and concerned authorities to fight against the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and remove it from the world.

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