Earlier this week, the Lagos State
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, warned residents to take
precautionary measures against being infected with a new virus known as
coronavirus.
Though Idris noted that the infection
had yet to be detected in the state, the virus has claimed over 80 lives
globally, especially in the Middle East. Idris therefore urged Lagos
residents to know what it’s all about, as well as how to guard against
catching the bug.
He advised residents to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene in order to reduce the risk of infection.
Globally, from September 2012 to date,
the World Health Organisation has been informed of a total of 90
laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with coronavirus — otherwise
called Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus — while
approximately 45 deaths have been recorded so far.
And because of the deadly nature of this
virus, the WHO has convened an Emergency Committee, under the
International Health Regulations, to advise the Director-General on the
status of the current situation.
The Emergency Committee, which comprises
international experts from all WHO regions, unanimously advised that,
with the information now available, and using a risk-assessment
approach, the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International
Concern have not at present been met.
But then, what is coronavirus and why is it such a global health concern?
According to the United States Centres
for Disease Control and Prevention, coronaviruses are common viruses
that most people get some time in their lives.
In humans, epidemiologists say, the viruses usually cause mild-to-moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses.
Experts say human coronaviruses were
first identified in the mid 1960s, and they identified five strains that
can infect people. They are alpha coronaviruses 229E, NL63 beta
coronaviruses OC43, HKU1, and SARS-CoV — the coronavirus strain that
causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
Route of infection
Scientists warn that SARS-CoV can infect
people and animals, including monkeys, cats, dogs, and rodents, thus
making it very deadly; as the virus can infect whoever comes into
contact with an infected person or animal.
Epidemiologists note that it is likely
that human coronaviruses spread from an infected person to others
through the air by coughing and sneezing; and also through close
personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands.
Family physician, Dr. Godwin Anyaebe,
warns that these viruses may also spread when you touch contaminated
objects or surfaces, and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Authorities at CDC note that in one
case, the SARS virus was thought to spread through infected stool that
got into the air; people breathed this in and got infected.
Symptoms
Physicians say, in general, Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome begins with a high fever. “Other symptoms may
include headache, an overall feeling of discomfort, and body aches,”
Anyaebe notes.
Scientists at CDC say some people also
have mild respiratory symptoms at the outset, while about 10-20 per cent
of patients have diarrhoea.
After two to seven days, researchers say, SARS patients may develop a dry cough, while most patients develop pneumonia.
They also warn that human coronaviruses
usually cause mild-to-moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses of
short duration, and the symptoms may include runny nose, cough, sore
throat, and fever.
Scientists say lower-respiratory tract
illnesses, such as pneumonia, are more common in people with
cardiopulmonary disease (a medical condition in which the heart and
lungs don’t function properly); or those with compromised immune systems
(such as people living with HIV/AIDS); or the elderly.
Protect yourself
There are currently no vaccines
available to protect you against human coronavirus infection, experts
lament. However, they say, you may be able to reduce your risk of
infection by—
• Washing your hands often with soap and water,
• Not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, and
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
Curb the spread
The World Health Organisation says the
first recorded coronavirus death was in June last year in Saudi Arabia.
Again, in May, France said a 65-year-old man was in hospital after being
diagnosed with the coronavirus after a holiday in Dubai.
Health authorities in the United Arab
Emirate have also announced that an 82-year-old man had been diagnosed
with the MERS coronavirus infection, the first case to be recorded in
the Gulf state.
Meanwhile, health officials in Saudi
Arabia have asked those preparing to visit Mecca and Medina to wear
masks in crowded places in order to stop the spread of the virus.
The British Broadcasting Corporation
reports that pilgrims visiting Mecca’s holy sites have been handed a
list of requirements issued by the Saudi health ministry. The ministry
also advises elderly people or those with chronic diseases to postpone
their pilgrimage.
People who are privileged to take part
in the pilgrimage have also been advised to maintain personal hygiene
standards, use a tissue paper when sneezing or coughing, and have the
necessary vaccinations.
Experts say if you already have an illness caused by human coronaviruses, you can help protect others by—
• Staying at home while you are sick
• Drinking plenty of liquids
• Avoiding close contact with others
• Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and
• Keeping objects and surfaces clean and disinfected.
No treatment option… yet
For now, experts are struggling to
understand the virus. As such, there are no specific treatments for
illnesses caused by human coronaviruses.
Most people with coronavirus illness
will recover on their own, experts say; though some things can be done
to relieve your symptoms, such as—
• Taking pain and fever medications (caution: Aspirin should not be given to children), and
• Using a room humidifier or taking a hot shower to help ease a sore throat and cough.
If you are concerned about your symptoms, you should see your doctor.
Adapted variously from: cdc.gov; who.int; bbc.org
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