The Novel Coronavirus remains in the headlines as a deadly and intense outbreak of illness in China. So far, over 800 people have been reported dead. It is likely that this is lower than the actual number because the hospitals and clinics are overwhelmed with the amount of sickness. Recently, a family of nine were infected including a twenty-four year old and ninety-one year old. This indicates that it is very likely that the novel Coronavirus can be spread via direct contact or saliva ( human-to-human.)
There is a specialized team that has departed for China in order to help with the outbreak and study the new Coronavirus. Cases have been reported in over 25 different countries with the first death of a nonnative on February 6th. The people infected and those associated have been put into quarantine in order to control the spread of the virus. Because of this, the number of poeple with the illness has decreased. People are also being advised to stay away from China and/or anyone who has been there within the past two weeks.
Since the Coronavirus is an enveloped virus, the best way to prevent the disease from spreading is through hand washing and “NOT TOUCHING YOUR FACE.” – Professor Cramer. It is important for people to “self-isolate” if they have been to mainland China or been exposed to the Coronavirus. This is because there is evidence that people become contagious before they realize they are infected. Furthermore, although the virus was believed to initially be transmitted from animal to human, it is now believed that the virus can be spread from human to human. This could be indicative of an antigenic shift in the virus.
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