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What Is the Coronavirus? Symptoms, Treatment and Risks What Is the Coronavirus? Symptoms, Treatment and Risks
(about 13 hours later)
An international outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus has killed at least 41 people and sickened at least 1,300, according to Chinese health authorities. An international outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus has killed at least 41 people and sickened at least 1,300, according to the Chinese health authorities.
The outbreak began in Wuhan, China, at a market selling live poultry, seafood and wild animals. Now the virus has turned up in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, Nepal, France, Australia and the United States. Investigators in still other countries, and in several American states, are evaluating possible cases. The outbreak began in Wuhan, China, at a market selling live poultry, seafood and wild animals. Now the virus has turned up in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, Nepal, France, Australia, Malaysia and the United States. Investigators in still other countries, and in several American states, are evaluating possible cases.
Officials in China have closed transportation links from and within Wuhan and other affected cities. The move was a significant escalation in the country’s attempts to contain the virus as millions embarked on holiday travel for the Lunar New Year. Officials in China have closed transportation links from and within Wuhan and other affected cities. Buses are not operating between provinces. Sales of tourist packages from China to other countries have been halted. Major attractions and festivals have been closed down, as well as movie theaters.
Two cases have been confirmed in the United States: in a Washington State man in his 30s who had recently traveled to China; and in a woman in her 60s in Chicago, also returning from China. On Saturday, Xi Jinping, China’s leader, convened a meeting of the country’s top leaders to discuss what he called a “grave situation.”
But much is still unknown about the newly identified virus, including how easily it is transmitted and how often it causes severe disease that can lead to death. Many of those who died in China were elderly individuals with pre-existing chronic conditions that may have made them more vulnerable to the infection. Two cases have been confirmed in the United States: in a Washington State man in his 30s who had recently traveled to China; and in a woman in her 60s in Chicago, who also recently returned from China.
Here’s what we know so far about the virus and the outbreak. But much is still unknown about the newly identified virus, including how easily it is transmitted and how often it causes severe disease that can lead to death. Here’s what we have learned so far about the virus and the outbreak.
Coronaviruses are named for the spikes that protrude from their membranes, which resemble the sun’s corona. They can infect both animals and people, and can cause illnesses of the respiratory tract, ranging from the common cold to dangerous conditions like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, which sickened thousands of people around the world — and killed nearly 800 — during a 2003 outbreak. Coronaviruses are named for the spikes that protrude from their membranes, which resemble the sun’s corona. They can infect both animals and people, and can cause illnesses of the respiratory tract, ranging from the common cold to dangerous conditions like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, which sickened thousands of people around the world — and killed nearly 800 — during an outbreak in 2003.
[What parents need to know about coronavirus] Health officials around the world are alarmed, but it is hard to accurately assess the lethality of a new virus. On Thursday, the World Health Organization declined to declare the outbreak a global health emergency.
Health officials around the world are alarmed, but it’s hard to accurately assess the lethality of a new virus. On Thursday, the World Health Organization declined to declare the outbreak a global health emergency. “When we get a new infectious disease, we learn about the most severe cases first, the top of the pyramid as it were,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “As the investigation goes on, we often learn there are less severely infected people, and even people who are infected who don’t get sick at all.”
“When we get a new infectious disease, we learn about the most severe cases first, the top of the pyramid, as it were,” said Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “As the investigation goes on, we often learn there are less severely infected people, and even people who are infected who don’t get sick at all.”
By comparison, roughly 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu each year in the United States, and about 35,000 people die.By comparison, roughly 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu each year in the United States, and about 35,000 people die.
But while some scientists say the new virus appears to be less severe than other coronaviruses, like SARS and MERS, it is not clear whether Chinese authorities have been fully transparent about the number of infections and deaths, or even whether these figures are being carefully tracked. But while some scientists say the new virus appears to be less severe than other coronaviruses, like SARS and MERS, it is not clear whether the Chinese authorities have been fully transparent about the number of infections and deaths, or even whether these figures are being carefully tracked.
“The information we know is changing rapidly,” said Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, chairwoman of the public health committee of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. “Whenever a new virus comes out, it takes a while to learn about it. There are going to be a lot of changes.”“The information we know is changing rapidly,” said Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, chairwoman of the public health committee of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. “Whenever a new virus comes out, it takes a while to learn about it. There are going to be a lot of changes.”
Scientists still don’t know exactly how the virus spreads, but it can be transmitted from person to person, which makes it a bigger risk than if it were carried only from animals to humans, said Dr. Peter Rabinowitz, a director of the University of Washington MetaCenter for Pandemic Preparedness and Global Health Security. The Wuhan coronavirus is most likely transmitted through coughing and sneezing, as is the case with influenza and other respiratory viruses, Dr. Vaishampayan said.
It is most likely transmitted through coughing and sneezing, as is the case with influenza and other respiratory viruses, said Dr. Vaishampayan. Scientists are scrambling to understand how easily the virus is transmitted. A close examination of one family, published on Friday in the medical journal The Lancet, suggested that the virus was passed from one ill relative to six others; only two had contact with initial patient.
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed 198 confirmed cases in Wuhan. Researchers found that 22 percent had direct exposure to the meat market, and 32 percent had contact with people who had a fever or respiratory disease.The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed 198 confirmed cases in Wuhan. Researchers found that 22 percent had direct exposure to the meat market, and 32 percent had contact with people who had a fever or respiratory disease.
But roughly half had neither been to the market nor had contact with anyone who was sick. Sixteen health care workers were infected while caring for patients, the report said.But roughly half had neither been to the market nor had contact with anyone who was sick. Sixteen health care workers were infected while caring for patients, the report said.
At least 1,300 people are known to have been infected, and at least 41 have died. Most of those infected lived in Wuhan, a city of 11 million in central China, or had recently traveled there.At least 1,300 people are known to have been infected, and at least 41 have died. Most of those infected lived in Wuhan, a city of 11 million in central China, or had recently traveled there.
Of those who died, many were older men with pre-existing chronic health problems, like diabetes and high blood pressure, that made them susceptible to complications. Epidemics caused by other members of the viral family, SARS and MERS, have had high death rates: 10 percent for SARS, and about 35 percent for MERS. It is too soon to know the death rate for the new virus.
Influenza kills more people every year, but its mortality rate is only about 0.1 percent. The number of the deaths is high because so many people become infected. The death rate of the pandemic Spanish flu in 1918 was about 2 percent.
Widespread coronavirus epidemics have the potential to take a heavy toll, so the health authorities scramble to stamp them out.
A major concern is that with both SARS and MERS, a few patients inexplicably became “superspreaders” who infected huge numbers of people. At a hospital in Seoul, South Korea, in 2015, one man with MERS transmitted it to 82 patients.
On Jan. 8, The New York Times reported that Chinese researchers had identified a new coronavirus as the pathogen behind a mysterious illness that had sickened 59 people in Wuhan.On Jan. 8, The New York Times reported that Chinese researchers had identified a new coronavirus as the pathogen behind a mysterious illness that had sickened 59 people in Wuhan.
The cases were linked to workers at a market that sold live fish, animals and birds. The market was later shut down and disinfected.The cases were linked to workers at a market that sold live fish, animals and birds. The market was later shut down and disinfected.
No drugs are approved for the Wuhan coronavirus. The main treatment is supportive care, including making sure the patient is getting enough oxygen, and using a ventilator to push air into the lungs if necessary, Dr. Vaishampayan said. The main treatment is supportive care, including making sure the patient is getting enough oxygen, and using a ventilator to push air into the lungs if necessary, Dr. Vaishampayan said. Patients should rest and drink plenty of fluids “while the immune system does its jobs and heals itself,” she said.
Patients should rest and drink plenty of fluids “while the immune system does its jobs and heals itself,” she said. No drugs have been approved for any coronavirus diseases, including the Wuhan coronavirus, though an antiviral medication called remdesivir appears to be effective in animals.
No drugs have been approved for any coronavirus diseases, though an antiviral medication called remdesivir appears to be effective in animals. Scientists were very quick to identify the virus, and officials with the National Institutes of Health said that advances in technology may make it possible to test a vaccine against the Wuhan coronavirus within three months.
Officials with the National Institutes of Health said that advances in technology may make it possible to test a vaccine against the Wuhan coronavirus within three months. Animals are the most likely primary source of the outbreak, but it is still not clear which animals. Past outbreaks of similar illnesses, including SARS, also are believed to have emerged from live animal markets. The coronavirus that causes MERS is transmitted to humans by camels.
Animals are the most likely primary source of the outbreak — but it is still not clear which animals. Past outbreaks of similar illnesses, including SARS, also are believed to have emerged from live animal markets. Another coronavirus, which causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, is transmitted to humans by camels. But though the first patients sickened by the Wuhan coronavirus were thought to have contracted the disease at the market, the Chinese authorities said the illness can also be transmitted from person to person. A growing number of people, including medical professionals caring for patients, have become infected. That makes the virus more difficult to contain.
But though the first patients were thought to have contracted the disease at the market, Chinese authorities say the illness can also be transmitted from person to person. A growing number of people, including medical staff caring for patients, have become infected. That makes the virus more difficult to contain. The Chinese authorities have closed off transportation links from Wuhan and other affected cities, encircling roughly 50 million people. Bus service between provinces has been curtailed, as has travel abroad. The government is building two new hospitals to handle coronavirus patients; they will be finished in about two weeks.
Chinese authorities closed off Wuhan on Thursday, canceling planes and trains out of the city on the eve of a major holiday in China, and suspending bus, subway and ferry service within the city. Large public gatherings and performances have also been also banned in Wuhan, and the government announced that all residents were required to wear masks in public to help prevent the disease from spreading. Movie theaters were closed throughout much of the country.
The restrictions are to be expanded to nearby cities, including Huanggang, a city of seven million about 30 miles east of Wuhan. The authorities have also shut rail stations in the nearby city of Ezhou and restricted travel in two other smaller cities, Chibi and Zhejiang.
Large public gatherings and performances are also banned in Wuhan, and the government announced that all residents were required to wear masks in public to help prevent the disease's spread. Movie theaters were closed throughout much of the country.
Governments around the world have been screening passengers from Wuhan at ports of entry for signs of illness. North Korea temporarily barred foreign tourists, most of whom come from China.Governments around the world have been screening passengers from Wuhan at ports of entry for signs of illness. North Korea temporarily barred foreign tourists, most of whom come from China.
Symptoms include fever, severe cough and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. The illness causes lung lesions and pneumonia. Milder cases may resemble the flu or a bad cold, making detection difficult. The incubation period — the time from exposure to the onset of symptoms — is believed to be about two weeks.Symptoms include fever, severe cough and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. The illness causes lung lesions and pneumonia. Milder cases may resemble the flu or a bad cold, making detection difficult. The incubation period — the time from exposure to the onset of symptoms — is believed to be about two weeks.
On Friday, Chinese authorities said they had seen cases that did not meet the usual description. In these patients, the first symptoms were gastrointestinal, including diarrhea. On Friday, the Chinese authorities said they had seen cases that did not meet the usual description. In these patients, the first symptoms were gastrointestinal, including diarrhea.
On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning against all nonessential travel to Wuhan.On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning against all nonessential travel to Wuhan.
Dr. Schaffner, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said that travelers to China should “absolutely” avoid live animal markets, and keep their distance from animals in rural areas as well. He reiterated that travelers should practice “good hand hygiene” — washing hands frequently and avoiding touching their faces — and that they should maintain a distance from anyone who is coughing and sneezing.Dr. Schaffner, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said that travelers to China should “absolutely” avoid live animal markets, and keep their distance from animals in rural areas as well. He reiterated that travelers should practice “good hand hygiene” — washing hands frequently and avoiding touching their faces — and that they should maintain a distance from anyone who is coughing and sneezing.
Travelers should monitor their health upon return. If a cough or fever develops, call health providers before going in, so they prepare and put protective measures in place. Travelers should monitor their health upon their return. If a cough or fever develops, call health providers before going in, so they can prepare and put protective measures in place.
If you have a respiratory infection, wearing a mask helps protect the people around you from illness by reducing the risk of spreading the infection, experts say. Wearing a surgical mask may somewhat protect you from infection in a crowd if there is an outbreak, but, generally, surgical masks are not closefitting enough to filter all the air you are breathing in.If you have a respiratory infection, wearing a mask helps protect the people around you from illness by reducing the risk of spreading the infection, experts say. Wearing a surgical mask may somewhat protect you from infection in a crowd if there is an outbreak, but, generally, surgical masks are not closefitting enough to filter all the air you are breathing in.
Experts say you are better off washing your hands frequently throughout the day.Experts say you are better off washing your hands frequently throughout the day.
At the moment, the risk of infection with the new coronavirus in the United States — where there are only two confirmed cases so far — “is way too low to start wearing a face mask,” Dr. Rabinowitz said. “The risk is very, very low to the general public.”At the moment, the risk of infection with the new coronavirus in the United States — where there are only two confirmed cases so far — “is way too low to start wearing a face mask,” Dr. Rabinowitz said. “The risk is very, very low to the general public.”
American health officials are working closely with the W.H.O. and state and local health departments to monitor the situation. The C.D.C., which has activated an emergency response system, has dispatched workers to major airports to screen incoming passengers from Wuhan for signs of illness, and it has developed a diagnostic test for the virus, technically called the 2019-nCoV virus.American health officials are working closely with the W.H.O. and state and local health departments to monitor the situation. The C.D.C., which has activated an emergency response system, has dispatched workers to major airports to screen incoming passengers from Wuhan for signs of illness, and it has developed a diagnostic test for the virus, technically called the 2019-nCoV virus.
The C.D.C. has instructed hospitals around the country to ask patients who come in with fever or respiratory illness about recent travel to Wuhan or about contact with anyone who recently traveled to Wuhan. Health care providers are to isolate patients who may be infected and to wear protective gear when treating them.The C.D.C. has instructed hospitals around the country to ask patients who come in with fever or respiratory illness about recent travel to Wuhan or about contact with anyone who recently traveled to Wuhan. Health care providers are to isolate patients who may be infected and to wear protective gear when treating them.
C.D.C. teams are providing assistance with local investigations in Chicago and Washington State, and helping to track down anyone who may have come in contact with the infected individuals. C.D.C. personnel have been dispatched to airports to help screen arrivals from China. C.D.C. teams are providing assistance with local investigations in Chicago and Washington State, and helping to track down anyone who may have come in contact with the infected individuals. C.D.C. personnel have been dispatched to airports to help screen passengers arriving from China.
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Karen Zraick contributed reporting.Karen Zraick contributed reporting.