Ever since an outbreak of Corona Virus (COVID-19) was declared in China in January, the disease has been spreading sporadically from Asia, the US, Europe and now to Africa with Egypt, Algeria and Nigeria reporting cases.
Last week, the Uganda Virus Research Institute said that it had stepped up its capacity to test the virus and had investigated nine cases which were all confirmed negative.
What is Corona Virus?
According to the World Health Organisation, Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
How does Corona Virus compare to Ebola?
Dr Julius Lutwaama, a virologist at the Uganda Virus Research Institute, notes that while Corona Virus is very contagious, it is not as severe as Ebola
“Corona Virus kills less than 3% of those that contract. In Europe and the United States of America, it kills less than 1%. That is very small compared to the numbers that Ebola has killed during outbreaks,” he says.
He is quick to add: “Western countries have got better health facilities than Africa and so we do not know what may happen in Africa once the virus gets here.”
How to avoid the virus
Dr Lutwaama says one can avoid getting the virus by adhering to the following simple rules
- Avoid contact with people who have influenza like symptoms
- Wash hands as often as you can with water and soap
- Use a sanitizer whenever you cannot access water and soap
- Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth if you are not sure about the cleanliness of your hands
- Avoid shaking hands and hugging people as much as you can
- Try to avoid crowded places
The ministry of health has, through a statement, released a statement of what to do and what not to do in order to avoid the virus
No cure
Dr Lutwaama says much as there is no known cure for Corona Virus as yet, treating well the symptoms is what is important for the recovery of the patient, just like it is for any other disease.
On February 28, the health ministry maintained that there are no registered Corona Virus cases, and advised the public to adhere to the following regulations in order to avoid the virus:
1. Wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub
2. AVOID hand-shaking and hugging at all times
3. Cover your mouth and nose with tissue or a handkerchief when coughing and sneezing. Throw away the used tissue immediately into a dustbin or burn in and wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub. The handkerchief must be washed by yourself daily and ironed with a hot iron
4. Do NOT spit in public. Find a secluded place like toilets or pit latrines in which to spit in.
5. Maintain a reasonable distance between yourself and someone who is coughing or sneezing (at least 1 meter apart)
6. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Hands touch many surfaces which can be contaminated with the virus and you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself
7. lf you have fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical care immediately.
8. People with flu-like symptoms should use face masks to cover the nose and mouth and stay home in a well-ventilated room
9. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as door knobs/handles, car doors, elevator buttons etc. daily with regular household disinfectant or soap.
10. All travellers arriving from countries affected by the Coronavirus Disease should follow guidance given by health workers at the airport and other border entry points,
11. Delay your travel to countries that currently have many patients with Coronavirus Disease. Lf you MUST travel, please follow the above protective measures
Corona Virus timeline
December 31 2019 – Unknown pneumonia is detected in Wahun, and reported to World Health Organisation Country office in China
January 30 2020 – Corona Virus outbreak declared in China
January 30 2020 –declares Corona Virus outbreak global emergency after about 7,000 cases and 170 deaths
February 11 2020 – WHO declares COVID-19 as official name for Corona Virus
February 14 2020 – Egypt reports first case on African soil
February 15 2020 – France reports first death in Europe
February 24, 2020 – A Corona Virus outbreak is declared in Northern Italy
February 28 2020 – Nigeria confirms a Corona Virus case, the first in sub-Saharan Africa
February 29 2020 – First death in US reported in Washington
