The Wuhan Coronavirus

CEBU, Philippines — There is probably no threat more dreaded at the moment than the Wuhan coronavirus. This may be particularly true among Filipinos, who are much closer to China than to the Middle East, where there looms the threat of war. And the coronavirus can get around unnoticed.

The new coronavirus was first identified in an outdoor market in Wuhan, China before spreading to Thailand, Japan, and South Korea. Last week, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed that the US already had its first case of Wuhan coronavirus – a patient who had traveled from China to Washington state.

Coronaviruses are said to be common among mammals – but these rarely spread to people. According to the CDC, a coronavirus is a collection of viruses that are common among mammals, like camels and bats. While scientists have identified seven strains that can spread to humans, they still don’t know why certain coronaviruses can infect people.

A report by Shira Feder at www.insider.com quotes experts saying that the actual situation in China might be even worse than the news accounts. Scientists warn that the deadly virus could have infected 35 times more people than the official totals. So far, six people have reportedly died and 291 infected. The general public is concerned about their safety from the disease.

Coronaviruses work by invading the respiratory system. Patients experience fevers, coughing, and pneumonia. Many illnesses, like the common cold, are caused by coronaviruses.

Most coronaviruses are mild, but at least two have been previously identified as deadly. Feder’s report recalls that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, had an outbreak in southern China in 2003, killing hundreds. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, known as MERS, was first identified in Saudi Arabia in September 2012, and has been labeled by the World Health Organization as one of the most immediate threats to global health. Scientists believe civet cats, native to Southeast Asia, first spread SARS to humans, while camels might be responsible for transmitting MERS to humans.

Research traced China’s current outbreak to the Hunan market, where live animals are sold. The outbreak, according to Feder, began at the market and was then transmitted to others via human-to-human contact, particularly with a sick person’s fluids.

Human coronaviruses typically spread from one person to another through coughing or sneezing, shaking hands with someone infected, or by touching a surface that has the virus on it and then touching one’s hands, mouth, or eyes. It is rare, but fecal contamination is also a way to contract a coronavirus.

Health authorities say that there is no way to prevent catching a coronavirus.  Highly at risk are people with weakened immune systems, such as younger children and older adults. The common symptoms include pneumonia, runny nose, sore throat, headache, and fever, which many people may take casually.

According to the CDC, the best protection yet is by paying careful attention to cleanliness. The agency suggests that hand-washing for at least 20 seconds will help to lessen the chances of contracting the disease. It is also advisable to seek immediate medical attention when any of the known symptoms are observed. Pets are also at risk of catching coronaviruses, which can lead to disease and even death.