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The novel 2019 Corona Virus (2019-nCoV) originates from a new respiratory virus strain, previously unseen in humans, currently causing an outbreak in Wuhan, China. Here is essential information about the origins and transmission of the 2019 Corona Virus to help you actively protect yourself and your family.
1. What is the corona virus?
Corona is a large virus family, with some strains capable of causing illness when transmitted from animals to humans. Some strains only infect and exist in animal species, including camels, cats, and bats. Corona viruses can evolve from animals to infect humans and then spread from person to person, as seen in cases like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Currently, the corona virus strain causing the outbreak in Wuhan (2019-nCoV) is a novel strain never before seen in humans and has the potential for human-to-human transmission.
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What is the 2019 Corona Virus?
The novel 2019 Corona Virus (abbreviated as 2019-nCoV) is a new respiratory virus strain, previously unseen in humans, currently causing an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
Up to now, the origin of the 2019-nCoV strain remains unclear. Genome sequencing research shows a 96.3% similarity with a bat coronavirus strain, suggesting a likely mutation from bats to humans. The healthcare community has confirmed the potential for human-to-human transmission of 2019-nCoV.
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How does the 2019 Corona Virus originate and spread?
In most cases, person-to-person transmission occurs through close contact (approximately 2 meters) with an infected individual. Transmission is believed to mainly happen through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to the spread of flu and other respiratory diseases. Droplets can fall into the mouths or noses of those nearby or be inhaled into the lungs. It is still unclear whether a person can contract 2019-nCoV by touching a surface or object carrying the virus and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes. Typically, with most respiratory viruses, individuals are most contagious when exhibiting the highest symptoms (severe illness). However, with 2019-nCoV, there have been cases of transmission from close contact with asymptomatic patients.
However, the ability of different viruses to spread varies. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while others are less so. As 2019-nCoV is a new virus never before seen in humans, its transmission capability, severity, and other characteristics are still being studied and clarified.
So, does 2019-nCoV resemble the viruses causing MERS and SARS?
Corona is a large virus family, with only a few strains capable of causing disease in humans, while the rest exist in animals such as camels, cats, and bats. 2019-nCoV is not the strain that caused MERS (originating from camels) or SARS (originating from civet cats). However, genetic research suggests that 2019-nCoV may have evolved from a virus strain related to the SARS-causing virus. Ongoing studies are still being conducted to determine the origin of 2019-nCoV.
For young children, the elderly, and individuals with underlying health conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, and respiratory illness), there is a higher risk of developing severe symptoms compared to others.
