Erwan Meriadeck is a general practitioner in Toulouse and a former emergency doctor. We asked him about the coronavirus epidemic.
What is coronavirus?
It is a highly contagious direct transmission virus with a high rate of spread. It can cause SARS as a result of infection. The first symptoms are quite common and can make you think of the flu: fever at 38.5 with a cough and difficulty breathing. The clinical signs at the start of the infection are therefore not specific. We die if we have weakened ground. H1N1 is a similar virological infection.
To limit the epidemic, cases must be isolated.
Do you think the measures taken by China, which has isolated a province of 11 million inhabitants, are the right ones?
Yes. I confirm. Isolation and quarantine are an integral part of treatment, both preventive and almost therapeutic. To limit the epidemic, cases must be isolated.
Much more attention should be paid to passengers from China and even Asia.
Did Agnes Buzyn respond well following the recommendations of the WHO seems to the letter?
It’s a little light. Remember what Angola was doing with Ebola. At airports, customs officials took the temperature of each passenger, which we do not do. The mode of Ebola contamination, however, is much the same. Much more attention should be paid to passengers from China and even Asia.
In France, I estimate the maximum risk at 100,000 deaths.
Does the coronavirus have the potential of a Spanish flu?
This is the risk. We can’t exclude it. This disease has the potential to cause many deaths. In France, I estimate the maximum risk at 100,000 deaths. Let’s not forget that each year, the flu already kills 10,000 people.
The Directorate General for Health has sent an urgent message to all health professionals. The Ministry of Health has in particular indicated three new cases (Bordeaux, Paris) which have all stayed in China in recent weeks. They are taken care of in a referral health facility, which indicates that the threat is being taken seriously. Their condition would not, however, cause concern.
You can manage three infected patients fairly easily, it’s quite easy. But if there were 1000 cases, it would be much more difficult. The DGS reminds health professionals “the importance of reporting to the 15-SAMU center anyone with clinical signs of respiratory infection within 14 days of a delay from China”. This must be accompanied by protections for the patient and the healthcare professional (masks, glasses, hand disinfection and isolation).
One: screen. Two: protect. Three: take charge. Four: alert the regional health agency and provide guidance.
How to spot infected patients?
We have received a newsletter for frontline caregivers (GPs, EMS and nurses). Coronavirus pneumonia is a different virus from those responsible for SARS and MERS. The coronavirus causes virulent SARS which causes lungs to collapse and acute respiratory syndrome. This suffocation can lead to death. In this context, from the first contact with a suspect patient, clinical and epidemiological expertise must be sought quickly by contacting the referring infectiologist directly. One: screen. Two: protect. Three: take charge. Four: alert the regional health agency and provide guidance.
Interview by Gabriel Robin
–
