Coronavirus: global health crisis

Coronavirus world health emergency - 10th February 2020

Viruses make you sick. There is a new, very dangerous virus. It is killing some people. It started in China in December. It is now a world health emergency.

The virus is called 2019 Novel Coronavirus. People in 26 countries are sick. Health workers are worried. People are taking the virus to other countries.

People can have the virus for 14 days and not feel sick. In this time they can give other people the virus. One person usually gives the virus to two or three other people.

The illness starts with a temperature, then a cough. This can make it hard to breathe normally. If this happens people have to go to hospital.

In China, they are trying everything to stop the virus. Cities are closed. They are building new hospitals very fast. Other governments are controlling travel.

People with Coronavirus can't be around other people. Hospital workers are wearing special clothes to stay safe. Scientists are trying to find and check anyone who may have the virus.