The Wuhan coronavirus

The most worrisome news of the week is the continuing spread of the Wuhan coronavirus with the death toll and infections rising in its country of origin and also affecting many countries around the world. Here in Malaysia, the word is out that four Chinese nationals who had slipped in Johor Bahru from Singapore were confirmed as having been affected by the virus. How they managed to slip through Immigration in Johore Bahru or why Singapore Immigration allowed them through their end is beyond me when they were already on high alert. With these cases here, nobody should take any chance. I think the N95 masks is a priority requirement when in confined public places like cinemas and shopping malls. Below is some information from The Guardian website.

[UPDATE: Singapore by road looks likely the exit point of the coronavirus into our country. It's not only these four cases. There is another potential one of a Chinese family trying to slip out of Senai airport last night after they refused to quarantine their baby at the hospital. Police nabbed the family at the airport.]

What is coronavirus and where has it come from?
Coronavirus has flu-like symptoms, which can develop into severe respiratory problems. The current outbreak is understood to be a new strain of coronavirus, not previously found in humans. The virus can be transmitted between humans and animals, making it harder to contain. Other strains of coronavirus are not as dangerous - the common cold is one. Authorities have said that the current strain of the virus originated at a seafood market in Wuhan, in the Hubei province of China, which has seen the most severe outbreak of coronavirus. It is thought that the market was engaged in illegal wildlife sales, and has now been shut down.

What other coronaviruses have there been?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (Mers) are both caused by coronaviruses that came from animals. Although Mers is believed to be transmitted to humans from dromedaries, the original hosts for both coronaviruses were probably bats. There are suspicions now that the new coronavirus may have originated in bats or snakes, and possibly then was transmitted to humans via an intermediary species. In 2002 Sars spread virtually unchecked to 37 countries, causing global panic, infecting more than 8,000 people and killing more than 750. Mers appears to be less easily passed from human to human, but has greater lethality, killing 35% of about 2,500 people who have been infected.

What are the symptoms caused by the Wuhan coronavirus?
The virus causes pneumonia. Those who have fallen ill are reported to suffer coughs, fever and breathing difficulties. In severe cases there can be organ failure. As this is viral pneumonia, antibiotics are of no use. The antiviral drugs we have against flu will not work. If people are admitted to hospital, they may get support for their lungs and other organs as well as fluids. Recovery will depend on the strength of their immune system. Many of those who have died are known to have been already in poor health.