Over 290 cases reported
CDC reports first cases detected in the USA
Virus spreads to Japan, Thailand and Taiwan
The Coronavirus outbreak has hit the headlines over the past week or so after emerging in China in December 2019, the new strain of this coronavirus seems to have originated in the meat and seafood markets in Wuhan, China and like SARS which comes from the coronavirus seems to have spread from animals.
China was heavily criticised in 2002 after they played down the seriousness of the SARS cases and in turn this is believed to have helped the transmission of the virus to 37 countries and killing over 750 people
So what do you need to know about this virus and should you be worried?
The virus has spread beyond China with cases now reported in Japan, the USA, South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan. Human to human transmission has been reported. The virus itself causes pneumonia, people who have contracted it have coughs, breathing difficulties and a fever. antibiotics do not help as this is a virus however antiviral drugs may lessen the symptoms. Those people that have contracted the virus and died have been reported to have already been in ill health.
List of known Symptoms -
Fever
Cough
Runny nose
Headache
Sore throat
Feeling of being unwell
So should you be worried? there have been no cases of the virus in Europe and in the UK measures have been taken at airports to screen passengers arriving from Wuhan in to London Heathrow with flights being taken to an isolated part of terminal 4. Health teams will check for symptoms of the virus of passengers to help ensure ever measure has been taken to stop any spread within the UK.
If you are traveling to Thailand for business or pleasure over the coming months it would be best advised to check FCO advice before travel, however areas that have reported cases are far from the tourist and business hotspots and no official warning has been issued.
Ensure that wherever you’re travelling to maintain a high level of general hygiene, washing hands after contact with fish, meat or poultry and also after coming in to contact with anyone displaying respiratory illness. and if you start to develop any of the symptoms within 14 days of you return you should seek medical attention and informing your health service of your recent visit to the country.