The present outbreak of this viral respiratory infection is hogging the headlines, and triggering scares and concern across the world. On balance, while the number of people who have died till now is small (around 200, compared with 3000 deaths in road traffic accidents in India every year), there are two valid reasons to be cautious.
1. Viruses of the Corona group (named due to their resemblance to a crown) are not new; they account for a third of the common colds and fevers we suffer and recover from during change of every season. But this strain is a “new" virus called Wuhan Novel Co-V or 2019-nCo-V.
2. It has new antigens that can enable it to evade our immune radars. We do not presently have specific measures to protect or treat ourselves, such as a specific vaccine or medications.
New things, like UFOs, always create awe and fear and make us panic. It is difficult to say at this stage how “badly” this viral infection can harm us or how infective it could get.
If you are an optimist, its infectivity (1 to 2 persons per infected person) is less than that of SAARS outbreak of 2002 (Severe Adult Acute Respiratory Syndrome) when the corresponding rate was 2 to 5 persons. Incidentally, SAARS was caused by another Corona virus, which had also originated in China.
Also, only 1-2 of 100 individuals who catch the infection is likely to die from it, a survival estimate akin to Dengue fever.
The “bad” ones, such as SAARS, MEARS (Middle East Adult Respiratory Syndrome) and 1999-nCoV originated as infections in birds or animals, and spilled over to humans. The Chinese habit of living close to and eating the meat of wild birds and animals (bat this time, ducks and poultry last time) and camels for MEARS in the Middle East, are suspected to underlie this phenomenon.
Increasing global travel is undoubtedly fanning spread of the infection. If this outbreak had occurred in “earlier” times, it would have remained confined to the Wuhan or Hubei regions of China, and died down with time. But now with tourists, businessmen and students traveling to and from this hot spot, infections are spreading far and fast …..several continents and countries…including India!
Common symptoms of the disease are like any other viral respiratory infection: fever, nasal congestion, cough and breathlessness, except that one should suspect this infection in any person who has traveled to China, the epicenter, in the last 2 weeks.
Specific diagnosis is difficult: at the present time it is a molecular test from nasal swabs, sputum, bronchial washings or even blood. As these test kits are a developed by CDC (Center for Disease Control in USA), few designated centers in India will be able to perform them at present.
In the meantime: wash your hands with soap and water frequently, use a hand sanitizer, wear a N95 mask in crowded places, avoid contact with wild animals, birds and meat, and practice saying “Namaskar” with a smile, instead of shaking hands.
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