While China is taking drastic measures against the new corona virus, more and more countries are becoming infected. World Health Organization WHO has now proclaimed the virus an international health crisis. What happens in the Netherlands with a potential infection?
“I will be amazed at how the Netherlands reacts when the Randstad is locked and intensive care is filled with coronavirus carriers.” These are the words of Chinese expert Fred Seegers in conversation with NU.nl. At the time of his verdict, barely a week ago, the virus was just found in France and with it Europe.
In the meantime, four infections have also been reported in Germany, while dozens of others are being monitored among eastern neighbors. There may also be contamination in a handful of other EU countries. Worldwide, the number of cases of disease and death toll is rising steadily.
The latest news about the 2019 coronavirus
- Dodenta number increased to 170
- Infections are increasing, almost eight thousand worldwide
- An estimated 600 EU citizens are stuck in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak.
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‘There is a real chance of infection in the Netherlands’
According to RIVM chief executive Aura Timen, there is no reason to panic in the Netherlands, despite the virus getting closer. In addition, she says that the chance of an infection in the Netherlands is “real”. “That chance exists and becomes smaller as China gets the situation under control. That is not yet the case.”
Timen is head of the Center for National Coordination for Infectious Disease Control (LCI Center) and part of the RIVM’s Outbreak Management Team (OMT), which advises Minister Bruno Bruins (Medical Care) on coronavirus. She is sure that any outbreak within the Netherlands is quickly under control. “We have been preparing for possible contamination from the first reports from China. In addition, we have already gained valuable experience with previous similar outbreaks.”
The RIVM top woman refers to the SARS pandemic in 2003 and the problems surrounding the MERS virus. In both cases there were no fatal Dutch victims, while only the MERS virus actually occurred in the Netherlands. “The scenarios and protocols that were used at that time have been adapted and optimized for this new situation. Looking back at treated similar outbreaks is the first thing we do,” says Timen.
“We have seen more often that diseases have moved from animals to humans. The development of these viruses is interesting, but it shows many similar characteristics of the SARS and MERS virus.”
How dangerous is the corona virus?
- It is unclear whether the disease is more serious than a normal flu, but figures are not alarming
- Fatal victims are mainly vulnerable groups such as the elderly
- There is no treatment for the virus yet, but the symptoms can be prevented
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“Medici know exactly when to isolate someone”
When asked what happens when a potential coronavirus carrier suddenly reports up, spokesperson Gerben Hart from the Isala hospital in Zwolle pounds the most important protocols upon request. The Overijssel hospital treated one of the two Dutch MERS patients in 2014 and has 73 isolation rooms where patients with a high risk of infection can be taken care of.
“Every hospital follows the rules of the RIVM. The medical staff knows exactly for which characteristics, such as lung complaints, high fever and cough, they have to switch to isolating the patient,” says Hart. “Direct contact is also being sought with RIVM.”
Both Hart and Timen emphasize that the next step is crucial: inquiring about the patient’s last contacts and whereabouts. They are, if deemed necessary, monitored. Samples are taken and the temperature is measured.
One patient does not provide cargo information boards throughout the country
The government then communicates transparently to the population about the infection, says spokesman Inge Freriksen of the Ministry of Health. “The infection is announced if the patient is already in isolation, but even now interested parties can go to the RIVM website where a huge number of questions have been answered.”
Freriksen emphasizes that if there is only one patient in one region of the country, the entire country will not suddenly be confronted with a load of information boards. “The most important thing is to find the patient’s latest contacts and to inform them thoroughly.”
Strict conditions apply to nurses and doctors. They must always wear splash goggles, a hat, a mouth cap, an apron and more protective clothing in the isolation room to reduce the risk of a possible transfer. According to Hart, the patient does not have to deal with a special group of doctors. “Everyone at this hospital knows exactly what to do and can enter the isolation room with a lock if necessary.”
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An isolation room in Japan. According to spokesperson Gerben Hart, the room does not differ much from a normal nursing room: “Only this room is for one person.” (Photo: Reuters)
‘Practicing regularly to always be ready’
Hart stays sober when he talks about the virus. “It is actually a treatment similar to that of the influenza virus, or flu virus. That can also be dangerous if infections and bacteria occur.”
The isolation rooms at the Isala hospital are still being used to accommodate other patients. However, they can be emptied in no time to catch coronavirus carriers, Hart says.
RIVM chief executive Timen adds that Dutch people can expect a high level of professionalism from healthcare, because GGDs, hospitals, GPs and RIVM did not sit still in “quiet years”. “We practice regularly to always be ready.”
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