Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
A new Coronavirus emerged in Wuhan City, Hubei Province in China is called as 2019-nCov.
Emerging Respiratory Infectious Diseases
2002: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS CoV)
2009: A H1N1 influenza
2012: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS CoV)
2019: Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
How do viruses emerge?
Human health, animal health and the state of ecosystems are inextricably linked
70-80% of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases are known to be of zoonotic origin
Population growth, climate change, increasing urbanization, consumption of raw or semi-cooked meat, international travel and migration increase the risk for emergence and spread of respiratory pathogens.
Symptoms
Mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath
Symptoms of 2019-nCoV may appear as early as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure.
Seeking Care
Early medical care for fever, cough and difficulty in breathing.
Ask for travel history.
Mode of Spread
Through hands - more than 80 percent
After touching the infected surfaces like immigration counter, ticket counter, door handles, handrails of staircases or elevators etc., touching the face eyes, nose without washing hands.
Airborne direct transmission - less than 20 percent
When a nearby person sneezes or coughs.
Lab Diagnosis
Respiratory material (nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab in ambulatory patients and sputum (if produced) and/or endotracheal aspirate or bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with more severe respiratory disease).
Serum for serological testing, acute sample (within a week) and convalescent sample (3-4 weeks of illness).
Ensure appropriate infection control measures while collecting samples.
National Institute of Virology - Pune Apex center.
King Institute, Guindy has testing facilities.
Animal and animal product handling
Wear protective gowns, gloves, mask and facial protection while handling animal and animal products.
Remove protective clothing after work, wash aprons daily and leave at work site.
Avoid exposing family members to soiled work clothing and shoes.
Disinfectants for surfaces frequently touched by hands and also floors
Lysol IP (50% Cresol and 50% Liquid Soap)
Hospitals, clinics and ambulances
5% Lysol (One-liter Lysol in 9 liters of water).
Bus stands, vehicles and other public places
2.5% Lysol (One-liter Lysol in 19 liters water).
Households and clean places
1% Lysol (One-liter Lysol in 49 liters water).
Everyday Preventive Actions for Everyone
Wash your hands with soap and running water for 30 seconds when hands are visibly dirty.
Before, during, after preparing food.
Before eating.
After toilet use.
When hands are visibly dirty.
After handling animals or animal waste.
After handshake (Handshakes to be avoided).
After coughing and sneezing.
When caring for sick.
Cough/Sneezing Hygiene
When coughing and sneezing cover the face with flexed elbow or tissue.
Put the tissue into closed bin immediately after use.