New Delhi (NVI): After detection of a case in Thailand, the World Health Organization (WHO) today issued guidance on how to detect and treat persons ill with the new coronavirus, a strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
According to the WHO, Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.
Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans, according to the WHO.
Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs.
Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
The WHO said it is working with officials in Thailand and China following reports of confirmation of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in a traveller from Wuhan, China, who visited Thailand.
“WHO reiterates that it is essential that investigations of the novel coronavirus continue in China to identify the source of the outbreak and any animal reservoirs or intermediate hosts,” it said.
The possibility of the novel coronavirus cases being identified in other countries was not unexpected, and reinforces why WHO calls for on-going active monitoring and preparedness in other countries, the global health body said.
Given the developments, WHO Director General is consulting with Emergency Committee members and could call for a meeting of the committee on short notice, it said.
