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China coronavirus: Your questions answered Coronavirus: Can people recover? And other questions
(3 days later)
The coronavirus in China has killed more than 100 people and spread to several provinces, as well as abroad. There have now been almost 10,000 cases of coronavirus, which has been declared a global health emergency. The disease has spread to at least 17 countries, including two confirmed cases in the UK.
Wuhan, the city at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, was locked down on Thursday. The answers to a selection of readers' questions about the new virus are below.
The origin is suspected to be a food market that "conducted illegal transactions of wild animals". Why is the UK government organising the repatriation of citizens? - Jeff Otterside
Officials in the UK are monitoring flights from China. The Foreign Office (FCO) is providing repatriation to British citizens in Hubei Province, the source of the coronavirus, "due to increasing travel restrictions and difficulty accessing medical assistance".
BBC health and science correspondents Michelle Roberts and James Gallagher answer your questions about the new virus. It is not repatriating the thousands of British citizens in other parts of China, but is advising against all but essential travel to the country.
On Friday, 83 Britons and 27 foreign nationals were being flown back to the UK from Wuhan, the Hubei city at the centre of the outbreak. Other countries including Japan, the US and EU states are also repatriating their citizens.
The FCO says its priority is to keep families together, but under Chinese law only British passport holders who do not hold Chinese nationality are allowed to leave through assisted departure.
What is the incubation period for the coronavirus? - Gillian Gibs
The World Health Organization says the incubation period, the time when infected people can pass the virus to others, ranges from two to 10 days.
These estimates will be narrowed-down as more data becomes available.
Knowing and understanding the incubation period is very important. It allows doctors and health authorities to introduce more effective ways to control the spread of the virus.
It means, for instance, that they can introduce more effective quarantine systems, isolating those suspected of carrying the virus from others.
Do people who have contracted coronavirus return to full health? - Chris Stepney, Milton Keynes
Yes. Many of those who contract coronavirus will experience only mild symptoms. These include fever, coughing and respiratory problems. Most people are expected to make a full recovery.
But it can pose a particular risk for elderly people and those with pre-existing problems like diabetes or cancer, or weak immune systems.
As of 31 January, Chinese health authorities said that 213 people had died from the virus. The number of confirmed cases stands at 9,962.
An expert at China's National Health Commission has said that it can take a week to recovery from mild coronavirus symptoms.
Can the coronavirus be transferred through items bought from Wuhan and posted to UK? - StefanCan the coronavirus be transferred through items bought from Wuhan and posted to UK? - Stefan
There is no evidence this is a risk. Some diseases - including the coronavirus that causes Sars - can spread through surfaces contaminated by people coughing or sneezing on them.There is no evidence this is a risk. Some diseases - including the coronavirus that causes Sars - can spread through surfaces contaminated by people coughing or sneezing on them.
It has not been shown this new coronavirus can do that. Even if it could, there would still be questions about whether international shipping would be a major problem.It has not been shown this new coronavirus can do that. Even if it could, there would still be questions about whether international shipping would be a major problem.
Cold viruses tend to survive less than 24 hours outside the human body although norovirus (a severe stomach bug) can last months outside the body.Cold viruses tend to survive less than 24 hours outside the human body although norovirus (a severe stomach bug) can last months outside the body.
The most reassuring fact so far is that cases seem to require close contact with another person - say, a family member or healthcare worker - in order to spread.The most reassuring fact so far is that cases seem to require close contact with another person - say, a family member or healthcare worker - in order to spread.
Is there any reason such viruses are emerging more from China? - GautamIs there any reason such viruses are emerging more from China? - Gautam
Yes - large populations of people living in close proximity to animals.Yes - large populations of people living in close proximity to animals.
This coronavirus almost certainly came from an animal source, with one suggestion being snakes. Sars, another coronavirus that originated in China, came from bats and the civet cat.This coronavirus almost certainly came from an animal source, with one suggestion being snakes. Sars, another coronavirus that originated in China, came from bats and the civet cat.
The early cases of this new infection were traced to the South China Seafood Wholesale Market. Live wild animals were also sold including chickens, bats and snakes.The early cases of this new infection were traced to the South China Seafood Wholesale Market. Live wild animals were also sold including chickens, bats and snakes.
It is a far cry from the usual shopping experience if you are used to your meat nicely cut up and in clear plastic packaging in your typical Western-supermarket.
Given we have three flights from Wuhan to London every week, should we be wearing face masks on the Tube? - Anonymous
No. There are still no cases in the UK and the risk is deemed to be "low". Seasonal flu is still a bigger risk to your health in the UK than this novel coronavirus.
Is this likely to play out as a Sars-type outbreak, with clusters, or a swine flu situation, where everyone is affected? - Clare
The expectation is this will be closer to severe acute respiratory syndrome than swine flu because the new coronavirus is a relative of Sars.
However, one of the big unanswered questions is how readily this virus spreads from one person to another.
How does the speed of the confirmed spread compare [with] previous outbreaks and does that suggest anything about the transmission vector? - Daniel
It is very hard to know how fast it is actually spreading.
It might appear as though cases have soared. But this is misleading.
Some of the "new" cases were already out there but have only just been detected as China steps up its surveillance.
There is actually very little information on the "growth rate" of the outbreak.
How did Sars spread? How did it originate? - Angelo BusatoHow did Sars spread? How did it originate? - Angelo Busato
Sars started off in bats and then infected the civet cat, which in turn passed it on to humans. Sars, another form of coronavirus, started off in bats and then infected the civet cat, which in turn passed it on to humans.
Some people were infected by direct contact with civet cats.Some people were infected by direct contact with civet cats.
But it was also able to spread from one person to another through coughs, sneezes and contaminated surfaces.But it was also able to spread from one person to another through coughs, sneezes and contaminated surfaces.
Is there anything we could do for prevention? - Anonymous
There is no vaccine and very little beyond basic hygiene to minimise the risk.
Doctors will be trying to diagnose and isolate cases as quickly as possible and trace people patients have come into contact with to try to stay on top of the virus.
How likely is it to travel to the UK or Europe? - Barry Flynn
The longer this goes on and the more people are infected in China, the more likely it becomes there will be cases in the UK and Europe. There has already been a case reported in France.
Is it possible to vaccinate in order to prevent this respiratory illness? - Hans FriedrichIs it possible to vaccinate in order to prevent this respiratory illness? - Hans Friedrich
At the moment, there is no vaccine that can protect people against this type of coronavirus, but researchers are looking to develop one.At the moment, there is no vaccine that can protect people against this type of coronavirus, but researchers are looking to develop one.
It is a new strain that hasn't been seen in humans before, which means doctors still have lots to learn about it.It is a new strain that hasn't been seen in humans before, which means doctors still have lots to learn about it.
I am travelling to Beijing and Shanghai in February and would like to know what, if necessary, precautions to take whilst there? - Matt What questions do you have about the coronavirus?
Based on currently available information, the World Health Organization advises that measures to limit the risk of exportation or importation of the disease should be implemented, without unnecessary restrictions of international traffic. In some cases your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.
Some travel restrictions are in place. Use this form to ask your question:
You should re-check the latest travel advice before you depart.
Is it possible for the virus to have affected any person, who travelled to China in the last few months for example, October to December 2019? - Anonymous
The first human cases were identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.
There have not been any other suspected human cases reported prior to this.
Given the type of virus, the incubation period (how long it takes for symptoms to appear after catching the infection) ranges from one to 14 days.
It is not yet known how or when the virus became infectious to people.
Experts believe the first cases were transmitted by an animal.
Are UK airports planning to screen arrivals? Two family members have lung and heart conditions and relatives from China arrive this week. - Anonymous
Many international airports are screening passengers on arrival from Wuhan.
Extra checks such as temperature scans have been put in place.
A lot of initially infected people have already been discharged from hospitals. Does it mean that the virus is not that dangerous? - Anonymous
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe disease. It's not yet clear how bad this new coronavirus is.
If a patient has recovered from the infection, they should not pose a significant risk to others and can be sent home from hospital provided they are well enough.
What animal does the Corona virus come from? How can one protect himself against? - Anonymous
It is not yet known how the virus was transmitted. Other coronaviruses, such as Sars and Mers, came from civet cats and camels respectively.
Experts are working to find the source.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection apply. These include:
Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and fever.