The World Health Organization announced that Wuhan’s new coronavirus now constitutes a “global” international public health emergency; however, the organization does not recommend that other countries restrict their dealings with China. Under such circumstances, is it necessary for the international community to panic? Swissinfo.ch states a few facts here:

Why is it called a “coronal” virus?

Because under the microscope, the virus appears to be surrounded by a crown. 2019 new coronavirus (multilingual) external links to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, multilingual) external link virus that broke out in China in 2003 and MERS (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, multilingual) that appeared in Saudi Arabia in 2012 External link viruses come from the same virus “family”.

From Where and when coronavirus emerged ?

From animals, it could be snakes or bats. Then-most likely in a market in Wuhan-passed from animals to people. You should know that Chinese people eat a variety of meats-a lot of meat not found in our western supermarkets. To ensure freshness, vendors also sell live animals.

How does the virus spread quickly?

Like previous coronaviruses, the new coronaviruses that appeared in Wuhan can be transmitted from animals to humans. It is transmitted through close contact with animals or infected persons-for example, droplets from close contact, coughing or sneezing, co-located, or face-to-face within a meter.

How dangerous is the virus?

Harris Héritier, an epidemiologist at the Basel Institute for Tropical Diseases and Public Health in Switzerland, reminds us that to answer this question, two factors need to be considered: transmission (the rate of transmission of the new coronavirus is very strong) and mortality (to the death of infected Case ratio). The New England Journal of Medicine currently estimates that the fatality rate of Wuhan pneumonia virus is about 4%. The mortality of SARS and MERS viruses was 9.5% and 34%, respectively.

Are there high-risk groups?

Harris Héritier replied: “We suspect that there is a high-risk population, but this estimate is based on previous epidemiological experience. The current data is not enough to prove that a certain population is more vulnerable to the virus than others. It may be dangerous to make such assumptions-for example, during the Spanish flu outbreak, we found that people with strong immunity are the most vulnerable.

Is the new coronavirus more dangerous than seasonal flu?

Every year, influenza causes 290,000-650,000 deaths worldwide, but deaths account for only 0.1% of the total number of influenza infections. It can be seen that the fatality rate of seasonal flu is very low, such as the Spanish flu that broke out in 1918-1919 (the virus also originated in China, although it is not shown in its name): It is estimated that its fatality rate is about 2%, causing 50 million to 100 million people died that year.

90% of people infected with Wuhan pneumonia do not die. What are their symptoms?

“It feels like getting flu, but we don’t know all the possible symptoms, and everyone’s reactions are very different,” said Harris Héritier. “This means that some infected people just stay home and recover on their own, and These cases are not included in the statistics. “Therefore, the actual number of infections is greater than the data we have-and this means that the virus’s mortality rate is actually lower.

Is coronavirus curable? How to cure Coronavirus?

No. Other coronaviruses are also not symptomatic. For critically ill patients, doctors will work hard to avoid all respiratory or infectious complications. On the other hand, the gene sequence of Wuhan pneumonia virus has been identified in record time. Several vaccines are being studied in China, the United States and Australia. But given the time it takes to test, these vaccines are likely to be too late to be used.

How effective are masks to prevent Coronavirus spread?

In Switzerland (note: there are no confirmed cases!), Pharmacy masks are already out of stock. Like in other countries, some people take the opportunity to resell masks on the Internet at high prices. However, masks are only really useful for people who are already infected-to prevent infection. As many public health agencies, led by WHO, have repeatedly emphasized: the most important precaution is to wash your hands.

Global outbreak of Coronavirus

In India, the first case of a coronavirus infection has been confirmed. In Ahmedabad, devout Muslims wear masks and pray for protection.

From the plague of the Middle Ages to the Ebola virus, humans have been fearing plagues that could wipe them out. From Jérôme Bosch to Stephen King, including all authors who write doomsday threat theme novels, movies, and TV series, telling doomsday stories is exciting and happy, just like loving yourself Scare your own children.

The latest statistics show that up to now, more than 17,000 cases of new coronavirus have been diagnosed worldwide, and the death toll has exceeded 360 (1 death toll from overseas patients). The international media, including swissinfo.ch, has been thinking about how to treat relevant news properly between the “duty to pass information” and “aggravating the risk of panic”. Social media is full of exaggerated reports, false news and even hysterical voices, without a bottom line.