The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an outbreak of disease originating in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, caused by a novel coronavirus (referred to as 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)). The initial cases of this virus have been associated with a specific seafood and animal market in Wuhan.
Additional cases have been identified in people who have not visited this market but have visited other markets or have interacted with infected individuals. Cases of this disease have been identified in certain other cities in Asia. Additionally, there have now been documented cases in the United States, Australia, and Europe.[i]
What follows is background on the virus and proposed recommendations for safety and health precautions. The situation is evolving, and it is recommended that all concerned consult the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) websites frequently for the most updated information regarding this situation. We also encourage you to download the information from this blog with additional helpful resources that can be found in this technical bulletin, which will be updated as new information becomes available.
What is Novel Coronavirus?
The illness being caused is by a newly identified coronavirus, now being referred to as 2019-nCoV. It should be noted that coronaviruses are common and typically cause mild to moderate respiratory and cold type symptoms, though certain strains of coronaviruses have caused more severe illness.
This newly identified virus (2019-nCoV) is in the same family as the viruses that cause Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which was first identified in Asia in 2003, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which was identified in 2012 with cases still occurring today. A main initial animal reservoir for the virus that caused SARS is believed to be bats that infected other animals, while the initial animal reservoir for the virus that causes MERS is believed to be dromedaries (e.g. camels). The reservoir or direct source for 2019-nCoV is still not known at this time.
What are the Health Effects?
The symptoms of the illness associated with this novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, are similar to those caused by influenza and other respiratory illnesses and include:
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever
A small number of people infected with this novel coronavirus have died.
How is Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Transmitted?
Right now, very little is known about the transmission of this novel coronavirus. Currently, the primary reservoir (source) of this virus is not known but it is believed to be an animal that the initial cases encountered at the seafood and animal market in Wuhan.
Authorities have confirmed that human-to-human transmission has also occurred. Secondary cases (contracted from humans rather than a reservoir) include both members of the public and also healthcare workers who have had contact with other infected people and have occurred in several countries in addition to China.[ii]
What Precautions Can People Take Right Now?
The WHO recommends that everyone:
- Wash their hands regularly
- Cover their nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing
- Avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing or sneezing or showing signs of respiratory illness
- Thoroughly cooking meat and eggs
At this time the WHO has not made any recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE) use, including respirators, by the general public. Please also see the technical bulletin entitled, ‘Respiratory Protection FAQ: General Public’ for additional helpful information.
The WHO has published guidance intended for healthcare workers (HCWs), healthcare managers, and teams working in infection prevention and control, which can be found here. As of right now, the WHO recommends that eye protection (goggles or a face shield) be used during patient contact along with gloves, a medical mask, and a fluid resistant gown. Airborne precautions, including an N95, FFP2, or equivalent respirator, should be used during aerosol-generating procedures.
The U.S. CDC currently recommends that people entering the hospital or clinic room (in a healthcare facility) of a suspected novel coronavirus case use standard precautions, contact precautions, and airborne precautions, as well as use eye protection (goggles or a face shield). CDC refers to their infection control guidance website for additional guidance, which has information specific to novel coronavirus.
Those potentially in contact with suspected or confirmed cases of this novel coronavirus should review all recommendations by the WHO, CDC, and other health authorities. For more information about PPE for healthcare workers, download the information from this blog with additional helpful resources that can be found in this 2019 Novel Coronavirus technical bulletin.
References:
[i] Sun, Lena and Bernstein, Lenny. First U.S. case of potentially deadly Chinese coronavirus confirmed in Washington state, Washington Post, 1/21/2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/01/21/coronavirus-us-case/
Fifield, Anna and O’Grady, Siobhan, Live updates: CDC confirms a second U.S. patient has tested positive for coronavirus, and 50 people are under investigation in 22 states, Washington Post, 1/24/2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/coronavirus-china-live-updates/2020/01/24/4e678f9c-3e03-11ea-afe2-090eb37b60b1_story.html
[ii] Disease Outbreak News (DONs) from the World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/csr/don/en/
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