Must know 9 facts regarding the latest Novel Coronavirus  

The Novel Coronavirus recently identified from China has been an important alert to the health professionals and public all over the world. The virus also known as Wuhan coronavirus, Wuhan flu, Wuhan seafood market pneumonia virus and Wuhan pneumonia has acquired special attention and authorities have already stated to follow the precautions to prevent its spread further.

Image source: Firstpost.com

Here are 9 important facts everyone should know about the Novel coronavirus:

1.  A viral outbreak was initially identified during mid-December 2019 in Wuhan of Central China  among the  people with pneumonia. The cause of pneumonia  was not clear but seen more with the workers of Huanan Seafood Market.

2. Chinese authorities then identified it as a coronavirus, which is in close resemblance with SARS-CoV that had earlier outbreaks in Asia in 2003 and killed many people.

3. Till 28^th of January 2020, 106 deaths have occurred, all in China, and evidence of human-to-human transmission has been proved. There are total 4314 confirmed cases in China.

4. Outside China the cases has been confirmed in Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and United States too recently.

5. The WHO had warned that a wider outbreak is possible if proper precautions not taken

6. The symptoms of Novel Coronavirus is flu like as with other viral illness:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Dry cough
• Difficulty in breathing

7. X rays of chest helps in identifying the pneumonia in serious cases and blood picture shows low White Blood Cells. 

8. Novel Coronavirus does not currently have an effective medicine treatment or vaccine. Only supportive treatment is all we have.

Image source: Businessinsider.com

9. Follow these measures for prevention:   

• Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections; cough and cold
• Frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with ill people and their environment
•  Avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals
• People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands)
• Within healthcare facilities, enhance standard infection prevention and control practices in hospitals, especially in emergency departments of the hospital.