Corona virus outbreak
Coronavirus is a group of virus that causes disease in birds and mammals. This virus can cause respiratory infections in humans ranges from mild symptoms like common cold to more sever illness like SARS and MERS. This new strain coronavirus is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans
An outbreak of new coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Chinese authorities identified the new coronavirus, which has resulted in more than 1000 confirmed cases in China, including cases outside Wuhan City. Additional cases are being identified in other countries as well
Transmission: Coronavirus is zoonotic, it is transmitted between humans and animals, there are several theories of possible source of transmission of this new coronavirus to humans but it is still being investigated
Symptoms: Symptoms of infection includes flu like illness with fever, cough and shortness of breath, sever cases may lead to kidney failure, even death
Prevention: To prevent the infection follow good hygiene practices, wash hands at regular intervals, stay away from people suffering from cold or cold like symptoms and staying home if you suffer from cold or respiratory tract infections
Infection control precautions: Observe droplet and contact precautions, hand hygiene after handling patients, provide surgical mask to all people under investigation
Cases have been reported from China, Macau, HongKong, Taiwan, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand, Korea United states and Vietnam. Till date no confirmed case is reported in Pakistan
Information source: World Health Organization -WHO