A new virus just been born. Could it be a threat?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has just confirmed (11th January 2020) the first case of a new (novel) virus from Wuhan, China, which causes severe respiratory disease. The virus is known as novel Corona virus (nCoV). A novel virus means, it is a new strain of virus that has not been previously identified in humans. So far 2 persons died and 41 are infected. Thailand and Japan has confirmed its first cases, which means the virus is spreading beyond Chinese borders.
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).
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people, eg. SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from camels to humans.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
The WHO alerts health providers to investigate people who are having severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) with fever, cough, requiring admission to hospital and a history of travel to Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in 14 days prior to symptom onset.
Disease is confirmed by nucleic acid testing from respiratory specimens like nasopharyngeal swab, oropharyngeal swab, sputum, endotracheal aspirate or broncheoalveolar lavage. Antibodies to the new virus also could be done by serological assays with acute and convalescent blood specimens.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Being a new virus means, humans do not have antibodies and susceptible to the infection. If the virus gains ability for effective person to person transmission, then yes, this could spread very fast and definitely a threat to humans.
by
MR. GEORGE VARGHESE
Assistant Professor , In-Charge Of Pushpagiri Centre For Virology & Molecular Biology
