Coronavirus: global health crisis

Coronavirus killer threat spreads - 10th February 2020

The World Health Organisation has declared the new, deadly virus, 2019 Novel Coronavirus, a global health emergency.

The virus was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan last December. Since then, it has spread to 26 countries, causing health officials concern around the world. Experts anticipate that infection rates will rise and for the disease to spread more widely. The virus doesn't display symptoms for up to 14 days, increasing the chances of people infecting others without knowing.

One in five cases is severe and scientists have said between two and three new infections come from each existing case. Coronavirus will require a coordinated international effort to bring it under control. Early symptoms are a fever followed by a dry cough which causes shortness of breath - this can develop into pneumonia and requires hospital treatment.

Chinese authorities first stated that people couldn't transmit the virus, which delayed important decisions to contain the disease. Since then they have shut down cities and built new hospitals for the infected.

Viruses constantly transfer between species but are only usually detected when they reach humans. Most early cases of Novel Coronavirus were transferred at a seafood market. However, the first case, which has been traced back to 1st December, has no link to the Wuhan market.

Preventing human-to-human infection is the only way to contain the virus. Doing this requires large scale state involvement and public health controls. They include limiting movement, frequent hand washing, infection control measures, isolating the sick, and providing medical staff with protective clothing. Epidemiologists are also working hard to identify and check anyone exposed to the virus.