The scientific staff of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens contributes to the research for the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV, which has signaled alarm to the international community.
EKPA scientists are participating in the planning of the Ministry of Health for the shielding of the country. In this context, Rector Thanos Dimopoulos gave important information about the 2019-nCoV virus, which was compiled by the Vice Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and Director of the Laboratory of Microbiology of the Medical School, Professor Athanasios Tsakris.
1. What are coronaviruses?
Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that usually cause mild to moderate upper respiratory tract infection with symptoms similar to those of the common cold: runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache, fever. People with weakened immune systems or underlying diseases may develop a more serious infection in the lower respiratory tract - bronchitis or pneumonia - kidney failure and even death. They owe their name to their shape: under the microscope they resemble a crown.
2. What is the identity of the new coronavirus?
The new coronavirus, 2019n-CoV, detected earlier this year in the Chinese city of Wuhan, is causing a respiratory infection of varying severity. It is estimated that 15-20% of those infected will need hospitalization. Symptoms usually appear 2 to 5 -but up to 14- days after exposure to the virus and are escalating: headache, runny nose, cough, fever, shortness of breath.
3. How dangerous is 2019n-CoV?
There is a lot we don't know about 2019n-CoV yet, as the epidemic is ongoing. However, our experience with other "related" viruses is invaluable. The surveillance system created in China after the SARS epidemic, for example, was the one that helped in the early detection of the new epidemic. In 2002, SARS-CoV spread to 27 countries, infecting nearly 8.000 people and killing more than 770. The transmission of MERS-CoV from human to human in 2012 was lower, but its mortality rate was higher than the 2.500 patients who died. about 35%. The new corona is transmitted at a higher speed but its mortality is clearly lower: it does not exceed 4%. In fact, it may be much lower, as many patients with mild symptoms may not have turned to health authorities and have therefore not been counted. According to estimates by the World Health Organization, the average number of new infections per infected person is 1,4 - 2,5 patients. It should be noted that in seasonal flu, each patient has an average of 1,3 other people. The crucial difference is that, unlike the flu, there is no vaccine for 2019-nCoV and this means that it is more difficult for vulnerable groups of the population - adults or people with chronic diseases - to protect themselves. Accordingly, there is no immunity for the population worldwide.
4. How is it transmitted?
Through the air from an infected person (cough or sneezing droplets) or contaminated surfaces (which we touch and then put our hands in the mouth or nose, introducing the virus into our body). However, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says there is no evidence to support the coronavirus transmission scenario through imported products or packages due to the limited survival time of coronae on surfaces (a few hours).
5. Is there a cure?
There is currently no specific antiviral treatment and it is mainly based on the treatment of symptoms.
6. Are there any measures to prevent its transmission?
Antiseptic alcoholic solutions neutralize the new coronavirus. Personal hygiene measures are therefore very important: a good hand wash, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds, according to the relevant guidelines of the World Health Organization. And, of course, a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, thanks to their valuable antioxidants, significantly shields our body, something that also applies to seasonal flu.
Source: newsbomb.cy