08:30 PM
Friday, February 14, 2020
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I wrote – Shaima Morsi
The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population and the World Health Organization announced today, Friday, the discovery of the first case of a new Corona virus emerging in the country for a “foreign” person.
The Ministry of Health and Population, represented in the preventive medicine sector, issued a set of advice that must be followed to prevent corona, in order to protect the health and safety of citizens and to limit the spread of this virus, namely:
– Be careful to wear masks in crowded places and gatherings and while outside the home, especially during Hajj and Umrah.
Personal hygiene must be maintained.
– Keeping surfaces and floors clean continuously.
– Napkins should be used when sneezing or coughing and put them in the trash.
Be sure to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after eating and also after coughing and sneezing.
– The eye, mouth, nose, and hand do not come in contact, because hands can transmit the virus after coming into contact with contaminated surfaces.
– Make sure to get enough sleep.
Cook well and maintain nutritional balance and physical activity.
In addition, the World Health Organization has published on its website 10 Frequently Asked Questions regarding emerging corona viruses, namely:
1- What is Corona virus?
Corona viruses are a common family that is known to cause diseases ranging from common cold to more severe illnesses such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
2- What is the new Corona virus?
The new Coronavirus is a new strain of the Coronavirus that has not been previously detected in humans.
3- Can human be infected with coronavirus emerging from an animal source?
Detailed investigations have concluded that the Corona virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was transmitted from civet cats to humans in China in 2002, while the Corona virus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) moved from camels to humans in Saudi Arabia in 2012. There are many other known strains of the Coronavirus that circulate among animals without transmission to humans yet. New strains of the virus are likely to be detected as surveillance improves around the world.
4- What are the symptoms of corona virus infection?
Symptoms depend on the type of virus, but the most common are: respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. In the most severe cases, infection may cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
5- Can corona viruses be transmitted from one person to another?
Yes, some strains of the virus can be transmitted from one person to another, often in close contact with the infected person, as happens in the context of the family, work or health care centers, for example.
6- Is there a vaccine against the emerging corona virus?
When a new disease appears, no vaccine is available for it unless it is manufactured first. It may take several years before a vaccine is manufactured.
7- Is there a cure against the emerging corona virus?
There is no specific treatment for the disease caused by the emerging coronavirus. However, many of its symptoms can be treated, and therefore treatment depends on the patient’s clinical condition. Supportive care for infected people can be very effective.
8- What can be done to protect from the virus?
Typical recommendations to reduce exposure to a range of diseases and prevent their transmission include practices such as maintaining hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, safe food practices and avoiding as close as possible to anyone who exhibits symptoms of respiratory diseases, such as coughing and sneezing.
9- Are health workers vulnerable to infection with the new coronavirus?
Yes, health workers can become infected with this virus because they are closer to patients than the general population, so the organization recommends these workers to use appropriate infection prevention measures and necessary control measures.
10- What are the Organization’s recommendations to countries?
WHO encourages all countries to strengthen SARI surveillance and to be careful in reviewing any unusual patterns of these cases or pneumonia, and to report to the organization any new cases of coronavirus, whether these are confirmed or suspected cases.
Countries are also encouraged to further enhance their preparedness for health emergencies in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005).
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