A newly identified type of coronavirus has been spreading in China and has now reached several other countries.
As the number of confirmed cases continues to rise, and the death toll reaches 56 globally, the World Health Organization, WHO has warned Nigeria and other member countries to be ready to deal with a possible outbreak of the disease in their territories.
Tarik Jasarevic, WHO’s spokesman, said nearly 2,000 cases of patients have been confirmed since the disease originated in China in December 2019.
He stated that the virus has spread to the United States of America, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Australia, France, and Canada; and beckoned for timely detection and conservation of any outbreak, especially in the Africa region.
Jasarevic said: “WHO’s risk assessment of the new coronavirus has not changed
“The risk of spreading the infection is very high in China, it is high at the regional level and it is moderate at the global level.
“It is, however, expected that further international exportation of cases may appear in any country, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Thus, all countries should be prepared for containment, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, contact tracing and prevention of the onward spread of 2019-nCoV infection, and to share full data with WHO.”
Will Nigeria be endemic with coronavirus?
No one is sure yet, but everybody should at alert as 120,000 tourists are received from China annually in Nigeria.
Learn what coronavirus is all about and follow the safety precautions to be stated below and WHO website
Here what you need to know about the new virus now called 2019-nCoV.
What is 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.
Coronaviruses are known to be zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.
Previous and known types
- NL63 (alpha coronavirus)
- 229E (alpha coronavirus)
- HKU1 (beta coronavirus)
- OC43 (beta coronavirus)
- MERS-CoV (the beta coronavirus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS)
- SARS-CoV (the beta coronavirus that causes a severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS)
- 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
Symptoms
- Fever
- Cough
- Difficulty in breathing
These symptoms are similar to those caused by SARS, another type of coronavirus
Treatment
There are no specific treatments for coronavirus and most people do recover without one, according to the CDC
Safety Precaution
- Frequently wash your hands with soap and water.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Latest News Update on Coronavirus
- Coronavirus: WHO puts Nigeria, others on alert as death toll hits 56
- AS CORONA VIRUS RAGES… We are prepared to handle disease – NCDC
Stay safe!!!
