More than 600 people have been affected and 17 have died in the the latest outbreak of a deadly virus called Coronovirus has shaken the world. People have panicked all over the world, and as many as two million people have fervently searched the internet for symptoms and prevention from this lethal virus.
Since, the virus originated from the city of Wuhan in China, the Chinese officials have put the city down under lockdown – shutting down all the air traffic and train routes.
But the effort to control the virus spread have failed as the virus has already spread from China to US, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and Thailand.
We have listed everything you should know about the coronavirus.
How does the virus spread from human to human?
According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the coronavirus among humans can spread in following ways:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Close personal contact
- Touching contaminated objects and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes without washing your hands
Remember to wash your hands and keep things sanitary, stay away from infected people as much as you can.
What are the symptoms of Coronavirus infection?
Most coronaviruses cause common cold and respiratory tract infections, and some of them will give you fever, cough, and runny nose – basically mild flu-like symptoms. Some particular strand of coronaviruses can also cause pneumonia, kidney failure, and death.
But historically, two types of coronaviruses – SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV have been known be extremely lethal. SARS had a kill rate of nearly 10%, while MERS killed about 40% of people it had infected.
However, the panic about this Chinese coronovirus has been spreading because it is rumoured to be even more deadly and there is very little the scientists know about this virus.
This coronavirus came from snakes into humans
According to a report by Scientific American, the first patients to be affected from coronavirus were the workers or customers at the local seafood marker in the city of Wuhan, China.
This particular seafood market sells live snakes for human consumption as well. And DNA tracking of the virus reveals that it has originated from the Chinese krait and the Chinese cobra, and then spread into the humans who ate those snakes.
Now the virus has mutated and it can spread through air, via the means of coughing and sneezing.
Coronavirus got its name from its shape, which looks like a crown or solar corona when you see it through an electron microscope.
All 17 dead are elderly people
People died from coronavirus infection have elderly folk – the youngest being 48-years old. Scientists are still trying to figure out the reason behind this.
As of now, there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment available to treat the coronavirus infection.
On the other hand, World Health Organization (WHO) has not declared an emergency yet, issuing a statement that they need more time and evidence to assess the situation.
Here is the map of affected countries
First case in US appeared when a man from Seattle came to the hospital with the infection. He had recently travelled to Wuhan where he caught the infection. He was given treatment in the early stage of the infection, and now his condition remains stable.
Featured Image Courtesy: TCC
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