What is Novel (New) Corona Virus: Everything You Need to Know !

January 25, 2020 Kusum Wagle Global Health 0

1. What are Corona Viruses?

  • Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats.
  • Coronaviruses are zoonotic viruses i.e. they are transmitted between animals and people.

2. What is Novel (New) Corona Virus?

  • Novel corona virus is a new form of corona virus which has not been identified earlier.
  • Novel Corona Virus was later named as COVID-19 https://publichealthnotes.com/1498-2/ by World Health Organization (WHO) on 11th February 2020.

3. What is 2019 Novel Corona Virus?

  • 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China.

4. What is the short/abbreviated form of Novel Corona virus?

  • The Novel Corona virus is termed as “2019-nCoV”.

5. Where was 2019 Novel Corona Virus first identified?

  • Novel corona virus outbreak was first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China

6. When was the first and second infections of 2019-nCoV”  reported?

  • First infection was reported on January 21, 2020 and second infection was reported on January 24, 2020.

7. What are the symptoms of 2019 Novel Corona Virus?

  • Mild to severe respiratory illness
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Fatigue
  • Sore throat
  • Difficulty in breathing/shortness of breath (late stages)
Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

8. How dangerous is 2019 Novel Corona Virus?

In the initial stage, it shows symptoms like that of flu or common cold (as explained in the above question).  However, severe infections can cause:

  • Pneumonia
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome
  • Kidney failure and
  • Even death

9. Incubation period of Novel Corona Virus?

  • 2-14 days (as published by CDC on January 23, 2020).

10. Is the virus emerged from animals or humans?

  • As far as we know, it looks like the virus have emerged from animals. However, it is now spreading from person to person.

11. What is the mode of transmission?

  • Via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

12. Who are at more risk of 2019 Novel Corona Virus?

  • Generally, everyone is at equal risk of the virus. However, sick, medically weak and older people are at greater risk of getting affected by the virus.

13. Are there any vaccines for 2019 Novel Corona Virus?

  • Currently, there are no vaccines develop to prevent or treat 2019 Novel Corona Virus.

14. How to be prevented from 2019 Novel Corona Virus?

  • Avoid exposure to the virus.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. In case if soap and water are not present, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with handkerchief or tissue. Ensure the proper disposal of the tissue after its use.
  • Avoid close contact with those who are infected, sick or have symptoms of cold or flu.
  • Thoroughly cook meat and eggs.
  • Avoid unprotected contact with live wild or farm animals.
  • Regularly disinfect frequently touched objects.
  • Avoid attending public events or public programs, unless it is necessary.

15. How to treat 2019 Novel Corona Virus?

  • No specific treatment identified or recommended till date (January 2020).
  • However, infected people should receive supportive care.
  • Care should be given to vital organs.

16. Is 2019 Novel Corona Virus same as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus?

  • No, it is not same as MERS-CoV and SARS.

References and For More Information:

https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

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

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

https://www.webmd.com/lung/coronavirus#1

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

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

https://www.livescience.com/new-china-coronavirus-faq.html

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/coronavirus-symptoms-vaccines-risks-200122194509687.html

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jan/24/what-is-the-coronavirus-wuhan-china-virus-symptoms

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30183-5/fulltext

https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/respiratory-viruses/coronaviruses-and-acute-respiratory-syndromes-mers-and-sars

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/chinas-coronavirus-symptoms-treatment/

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/et-explains/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-deadly-novel-coronavirus/articleshow/73542980.cms

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/01/24/798661901/wuhan-coronavirus-101-what-we-do-and-dont-know-about-a-newly-identified-disease

 

 

About Kusum Wagle 214 Articles
Hello and greetings everyone! I am Kusum Wagle, MPH, WHO-TDR Scholar, BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health, Bangladesh. I have gained profound experiences in public health sector under different thematic areas of health, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, maternal and newborn health, research etc., targeting diverse audience of different age groups. I have performed diverse roles ranging from lecturer in the public health department of colleges, nutrition coordinator, research coordinator and consultant, in different programs, projects and academic institutions of Nepal. I also hold immense experience in working closely and persistently with government organizations, non-government organizations, UN agencies, CSOs and other stakeholders at the national and sub-national level. I have successfully led and coordinated different projects involving multi-sector participation and engagement. Moreover, I am also regularly involved in the development of different national health related programs and its guidelines.