HELP PREVENT CORONAVIRUS

What is Coronavirus

The name for this kind of virus comes from the crownlike spikes it has on its surface — “corona” is Latin for “crown.” Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that infect mostly bats, pigs and small mammals. In rare cases, they are what scientists call zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

China as one of the fastest advancing nations in the world and a business hub had  an outbreak of this viral infection some few days ago and it is spreading very fast and it is also fatal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring this outbreak caused by a novel (new) coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Chinese authorities identified the new coronavirus, which has resulted in more than a thousand confirmed cases in China, including cases outside Wuhan City. Additional cases have been identified in a growing number of other international communities, including the United States, where 5 cases in travelers from Wuhan have been confirmed in four states (AZ, CA, IL, WA) as of January 26, 2020. There are ongoing investigations to learn more.

Significantly, no case has been recorded or confirmed in Ghana yet.

How does it spread

Like other coronaviruses – such as the common cold – the virus is spread via droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread when someone touches a contaminated surface such as a door handle. 

Hospitals are also key locations for “super spreading” events – when a single patient infects many people. When patients arrive in hospital with vague respiratory symptoms health workers may not know they need to take special precautions such as wearing masks or keeping them away from other patients. 

The outbreak originates from animals and the source is thought to be a seafood market in Wuhan which also traded in other live animals such as marmots and bats.

Symptoms

Human coronaviruses usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses, like the common cold. These illnesses usually only last for a short amount of time. Symptoms may include

• runny nose
• headache
• cough
• sore throat
• fever
• a general feeling of being unwell

In most cases, you won't know whether you have a coronavirus or a different cold-causing virus, such as rhinovirus.

But if a coronavirus infection spreads to the lower respiratory tract (your windpipe and your lungs), it can cause pneumonia, especially in older people, people with heart disease, or people with weakened immune systems.

Treatment and Management

Currently, less is known about the coronavirus and there is no 100% cure or therapy. Infected people can only be managed in a health setup isolation.There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for the 2019 infection. People infected should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.

Prevention of Coronavirus

There is currently no vaccine to prevent the infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. 

However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Use nose masks
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid shaking hands.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Immigrants from the infected regions should be restricted from entering into the country
• Immigration Service(Ghana) should tighten their disease surveilance and screening activivies at the borders, airport and harbors.
• Government should help provide adequate finance, resources and infrastructure to help manage the cases that will be detected.
•  Ghana Health Service Should help organize workshops on case detection and management for health staffs across the nation.
• Government should be ready to assist in the creation of detention centers as well as isolation centers.

There is no vaccine to protect against this family of viruses, at least not yet. Trials for a MERS vaccine are underway. The US National Institutes of Health is working on a vaccine against the new virus, but it will be months until clinical trials get underway and more than a year until it might become available.

You may be able to reduce your risk of infection by avoiding people who are sick. Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Wash your hands often with soap and water and for at least 20 seconds.Awareness is key.