Novel coranavirus: A global health emergency

Novel Corona Virus is a new disease in the history of mankind. It has been named as “Covd-19” by the World Health Organization (WHO) on February 11, 2020. The words are derived from the Greek word “kronare” means garland and Latin words, “ Novellus” means new, “Corona” means crown, halo or garland. The name is so given as the disease is new and strange and virus looks like garland and crown under the electron microscope. It is an RNA virus and it belongs to the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) viruses family.

The disease surfaced to the international horizon from Wuhan in Hubei Province Chine for the first time on December 1, 2019, when about 41 people developed unusual pneumonia despite the availability of vaccine and antiviral treatment. Its source was suspected from animals sold for food because many of the first infected humans were workers of Huanan Seafood Market selling fish, bats, chickens, venomous snakes, pheasants, spotted deer, marmots, and the organs of various other wild animals.

 Interestingly, Wuhan, the capital city of the Hubei Province of China is the seventh-largest city and the sixth-largest market of China. It is a major transportation hub of the country with a population of about 11 million, anciently known as the "Nine Provinces' Thoroughfare. Railway Hub of Wuhan is one of the four most important railway hubs in China. Direct flights from Wuhan also connect it to other metropolitan cities of the world. Due to these factors, Wuhan has been contributing to rapid local and global spread of the disease.

The first local transmission of the virus outside China occurred in Vietnam when a guy was infected from his father. Whereas the first transmission not involving family occurred in Bavaria, Germany. Nearly all cases outside China have occurred in people who either travelled from Wuhan or were in direct contact with someone who travelled from the area.

It has been claimed by Wuhan Jinyintan hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention that bats and snake are the most probable wildlife animal reservoir for the Covd-19 which then transmitted to humans.

 Covd-19 has been affecting 29 countries across Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region with total 73,334 confirmed cases along with1,873  Deaths. all in China except one in Philippine, as on 18th February 2020.

Most of those who died are old patients, about 80% are over the age of 60, and 70% have pre-existing health conditions. The time from exposure to onset of symptoms has been estimated at about 2 to 14 days as documented by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The victim may be without any symptoms or have mild flu-like symptoms such as Fever, cough, pain in the muscles, difficulty in breathing, tiredness and diarrhoea. More serious cases develop complicated pneumonia, sepsis and septic shock leading to death. Children, elderly people and those with accompanying conditions like heart disorders, blood pressure, diabetes, lungs and liver disorders are at greater risk of contracting the deadly disease.

Man-to-man transmission of the virus has been confirmed and it spreads through aerosol droplets expelled when an infected individual coughs or sneezes within a range of about 06 feet, which can also contaminate surfaces like door handles etc. Coronavirus droplets only stay suspended in the air for a short time span but can stay viable and contagious on glass, metal or plastic surface for up to nine days. Moreover, the viral RNA has also been found in stool and urine samples from infected patients. The virus is has also been found in the Human semen and the vaginal secretions hence the sexual transmission is also possible.

As a preventive measure Wuhan and 15 cities in the surrounding Hubei province have been placed on full or limited lockdown, involving suspension of all urban public transport and outward transport by train, air and long-distance buses since January 24, 2020.

In 24 out of China's 31 Provinces many New Year events and tourist interests, traditional temple fairs, and other festive gatherings and cinemas have been closed to ensure social distancing between people due tp phobia of transmission.

In addition a number of countries have evacuated their citizens from highly risky areas of China, directed their citizens to avoid unnecessary visits to Chine  and have issued travel advisories warning against travel to Wuhan and Hubei Province.

The precautionary measures stress frequent washing of hands with soap and water for at least 15 to 20 seconds, especially after going to toilets, before eating and after blowing nose, coughing, or sneezing. Avoid touching of mouth, nose and eyes unless the hands are clean. Ensure covering of mouth while coughing and sneezing.

There is controversial evidence that pets such as cats and dogs can be infected However, it is better not to touch animals nor eat game meat and avoid visiting farms and live animal markets.

There is no vaccines nor authentic treatment available for this disease to-date the only guidelines to treat patients with infection are to treat the symptoms like fever, support and monitoring, oxygen therapy, fluid management and trial of antivirals. However multiple Institutions and Organizations are working to develop vaccine but it is a time-consuming process.

 The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention,the Imperial College Faculty of Medicine London, the University of Hong Kong have started research work to launch the vaccine as early as possible.

In addition, The Canadian Public Health Agency has given permission to (VIDO-InterVac ) the International Vaccine Centre at the University of Saskatchewan to work on a vaccine. It plans to launch its production and animal testing by March 2020, and human testing by 2021. National Institutes of Health (NIH)of America is collaborating with Moderna to design RNA vaccine and plans for human trials by May 2020.

 As mainland China is a major manufacturing and economic hub, the viral epidemic has been seen exerting drastic impacts not only on Chinese but also on the global economy.Tourism in China has also been affecting hardly by travel limitations domestically and internationally.The demand and price of personal protection equipment  (PPEs) has risen in China and affected regions.

  Nevertheless, it is safe to receive posts from China or any other place where the virus has been reported. People who are receiving posts are not at risk of contracting  with  Covd-19 because the virus cannot survive long on objects, such as letters or posts.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a Public Health Emergency and Chinese authorities including affected regions have been implementing numbers of extraordinary control measures around the globe, as already mentioned, to control its further spread.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict the duration and course of epidemic.This is a new virus hence it is not sure whether transmission will decline or not, during the summer as is the case with seasonal influenza viruses.

 The world is at risk from Covd-19. The only preventive steps are to raise the public awareness about this deadly disease, strictly following the precautionary measures and adopting the common principles of personal and food hygiene. In Pakistan no confirmed case of Covd-19 has been reported to date, however, the federal and provincial governments should ensure the prophylactic steps as referred above especially with reference to CPEC and other Chinese and regional projects of mutual interests, in toto senso.