I was watching the news last weekend and the headlines were pretty much about the 2019 novel corona virus. Just the same news I get from just about every news site and social media on the internet. Not surprisingly, and as usual, the whole of social media is bombarded with misinformation, over-reactions and wild conspiracy theories.
Below are the facts about the nCoV and just for purposes of comparison, I also included a few facts about a similar virus, which is Influenza - commonly known as "the flu".
NOTE: As the virus is a new strain of the corona virus, the word novel based on Latin novellus which means "new" was added, thus the name novel corona virus (nCoV).
What do we really know about the nCoV?
The first known human infection occurred in early December 2019. An outbreak of 2019-nCoV was first detected in Wuhan, China, in mid-December 2019, likely originating from a single infected animal. The virus subsequently spread to all provinces of China and to more than twenty other countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. Human-to-human spread of the virus has been confirmed in China, Germany, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, and the United States.
During the weekend, nCoV was designated a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). As of today, there were 17,318 confirmed cases of infection, of which 17,137 were within mainland China. To date, approximately one-fifth of diagnosed cases result in serious illness. Nearly all cases outside China have occurred in people who either traveled from Wuhan, or were in direct contact with someone who traveled from the area.
How many have died from nCoV?
Preliminary research results have estimated a mortality rate of 2–3% among those infected and the WHO has suggested that the mortality rate is approximately 3%. The total number of deaths attributed to the virus was 362 as of today, 3 February 2020. Yeap, and that's about 2.09% of the total confirmed infected of 17,318 persons.
Alarming but not that alarming -- if compared with another virus called Influenza virus. Influenza spreads around the world in yearly outbreaks, resulting in about three to five million cases of severe illness and about 290,000 to 650,000 deaths. That's about 13% of the total infected.
So far, the deadliest strain of Influenza that have been confirmed in humans are H1N1, which caused Spanish flu in 1918, and Swine Flu in 2009.
How does an infected patient transmit nCoV?
Human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed. Coronaviruses are primarily spread through close contact, in particular through respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes within a range of about 6 feet (1.8 m). Studies have shown that the virus can be infectious even during the incubation period, but the WHO states that "transmission from asymptomatic cases is likely not a major driver of transmission" at this time. Asymptomatic meaning a condition wherein a person is producing or showing no symptoms.
The influenza virus is spread through the air from coughs or sneezes. This is believed to occur mostly over relatively short distances. It can also be spread by touching surfaces contaminated by the virus and then touching the mouth or eyes. A person may be infectious to others both before and during the time they are showing symptoms.
What are the symptoms associated with nCoV?
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC):
For confirmed 2019-nCoV infections, reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying. Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. CDC believes at this time that symptoms of 2019-nCoV may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure.
Influenza symptoms can be mild to severe. The most common symptoms include: high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle and joint pain, headache, coughing, and feeling tired. These symptoms typically begin two days after exposure to the virus and most last less than a week. The cough, however, may last for more than two weeks. In children, there may be diarrhea and vomiting, but these are not common in adults.
How does one prevent and treat nCoV?
According to CDC:
There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Treatment:
There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for 2019-nCoV infection. People infected with 2019-nCoV should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions. People who think they may have been exposed to 2019-nCoV should contact a physician immediately.
Still from CDC, the preventive actions to stop the spread of the Influenza virus are:
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu.
Treatment:
If you get sick with flu, antiviral drugs may be a treatment option. When used for treatment, antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days. They also can prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia. For people at high risk of serious flu complications, treatment with antiviral drugs can mean the difference between milder or more serious illness possibly resulting in a hospital stay. CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have influenza infection or suspected influenza infection and who are at high risk of serious flu complications.
The Coronapocalypse Scare
Apocalypse and doomsday scenarios are always popular, especially on social media. It's a storyline everybody loves, and is surprisingly common, occurring in some form in virtually every corner of the world. So in social media, anything in the real world associated with an apocalypse gets automatic clicks, comments and shares.
Don't get me wrong. I am genuinely concerned about the nCoV and treats it as a global threat just the same way as you do. What's more alarming is the spread of misconceptions that go along with it. We all have to be careful on what we share over social media. Misconception is misinformation and it may contribute to a wider panic than we can ever imagine. Please think before you click that share button.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS POST?
Share your ideas by commenting.