As World Health Organisation’s emergency Committee is set to ascertain whether the outbreak of Coronavirus should be identified as a public health emergency of international concern, experts from Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital threw some light on the deadly infection. As on January 22, a total of 440 cases of Coronavirus infection are found in China, followed by two in Thailand and one each in Japan, South Kora, The United States and Australia (potential).

With no specific treatment and vaccination being still in developing stage, prevention is the most effective cure against the Coronavirus said Dr. Rahul Tambe, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital. 

Nature of the infection:

Coronavirus is a respiratory infection thatprimarily affects the animals and in rare instances, causes infections in humans. Its known to cause mild respiratory tract infections—very similar to other respiratory tract viral infections. Rarely, upon disease progression,it causes pneumonia and respiratory failure and death.

The Novel Coronavirus originating from china is found to infect humans as well. Respiratory secretion and coughing are two known sources of infection transmission amongst the humans.

Preventive measures:

It’s highly advisable to screen patients who have returned from China or suspected areas of Corona Virus outbreak. Relatives and close personnel of the patients should wear protective masks and avoid close contact to prevent infections. Patients with dry cough, high temperature and breathlessness should report to nearest medical facility.  

In view of respiratory mode of transmission, the virus has capacity to spread rapidly from travellers across the globe and can involve multiple countries and continents in no time. Diagnosis and isolation of the virus can be done at advanced laboratories.