COVID-19: The Scare

Coronavirus is one of the numerous viruses that cause disease in animals and human beings. In human beings, they can cause common cold, with a mild infection of the respiratory tract. There are raver forms of the virus, like SARS, MERS and COVID-19 that can be lethal. There are no vaccines or antiviral drugs to prevent or treat coronavirus infections, says the author.

DISCOVERY

Coronavirus was discovered in the 1960's, namely two viruses from the nasal cavities of human patients suffering from common cold (Human coronavirus 229E and OC43). Since then, other members of coronaviruses were identified like SARS-COV in 2003 and MERS-COV in 2012.

Coronaviruses are believed to cause a significant proportion of all common colds in children and adults, with major symptoms like fever and sore throat. They can also cause bronchitis and pneumonia, either directly viral or secondary to bacterial infection.

OUTBREAKS

In 2003, SARS-COV virus caused Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), including severe infection of the upper and lower respiratory tract. This occurred in China, where around 8,000 people were infected, leading to 774 deaths around 10%.

In 2012, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) was reported from Saudi Arabia, where 124 persons were infected, causing 52 deaths. Another MERS outbreak was reported from South Korea, where 2,468 persons were infected, and 851 persons died from the infection (around 34%).

In December 2019, Wuhan coronavirus outbreak in China was reported. Symptoms included were fever, dry cough and dyspnea. The virus was named as SARS-COV2, and it has 96% similarity to a bat coronavirus, so an origin in bats was highly suspected.

On December 30, an ophthalmologist, the Chinese whistleblower doctor mentioned of a new coronavirus and the infection it caused. Dr Li Wenliang was then reprimanded by local authorities "for disturbing the social order" and for "making untrue comments". He was later diagnosed with coronavirus disease after treating an infected glaucoma case. He died from the disease at the age of 34 years.

The Wuhan outbreak of COVID-19 is still ongoing.

Around 90,000 people have been infected and over 2,200 people have lost their lives. Because of the virus contagiousness, mortality rate and resistance to treatment, extensive action has been taken by Governments. Countries have limited travel to and from affected regions, and screening measures have been implemented to detect potential carriers of the virus.

TRANSMISSION OF VIRUS.

Human to human transmission of coronavirus is primarily via respiratory droplets due to sneezing and coughing. Direct close contact while sneezing and coughing must be avoided.

These droplets can also fall on surfaces and can stay there for days. Touching these surfaces can lead to transmission by touching the eyes, nose and face. Transmission is not airborne.

Hands must be washed thoroughly and often with soap and water. Infected persons must wear masks so as not to transmit the virus. Healthy individuals do not gain protection from wearing masks, as people tend to touch their faces often, more so the masks. Certain food must be well cooked, especially meat and eggs.

COVID-19 is more easily transmitted than other coronaviruses rise like SARS and MERS, but fortunately it is less lethal than them. 80% of infected people suffer mildly, 16% have a bit of major symptoms and around 4% are lethal. The incubation period of the virus is between 2-14 days.

ROLE OF WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION.

The Wuhan outbreak instigated WHO to react fast actively under the Directorship of Dr Tedros A. Ghebreyesus: A Global Research meeting was held in Geneva on 11/12 February 2020,including scientists, public health agencies and health ministries from around the world. Discussions were held and necessary decisions and measures were taken to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak, namely to understand the behaviour of the virus, easier ways to test people to see if they are infected and treatment for people already sick with COVID-19.

A few trials of infected people treated with HIV drugs, like Lopinavir/ritonavir have started. The results of these trials will be known soon. Anti-Ebola drugs like remdevivir have also been tried and results will be known in a few weeks. Four vaccines are being prepared and one or two trialson humans will start in 3-4 months. But it will take 12-18 months for the vaccines to become available.

Dr Tedros asked for "calm, cooperation and global solidarity. Funders and leading researchers from around the world released plans to accelerate research on the outbreak. He also twitted this "This is time for facts, not fear, This is time for rationality, not rumours, This is time for solidarity, not stigma.”

STEPS TAKEN IN MAURITIUS.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has been working together with the guiding principles of the WHO, and its representative in Mauritius, Dr Musango. The aim was to contain the epidemic spread in China, and to protect the world population from getting infected by the virus. The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Jagutpal, held a meeting with all stakeholders at the Ministry, including its own officers, representatives from other Ministries, the Private sector, NGO's and the press. The meeting was managed by Dr V.Gujadhur, the concerned Director at the Ministry. All technical details were addressed and everybody was taken on board.

All passengers at the airport and port were checked for fever and other relevant symptoms. Passengers arriving from affected areas, like Wuhan and surrounding areas were sent in quarantine, though symptomless. They were kept in quarantine for at least 14 days as per incubation period. Initially, the tests were processed in Germany and South Africa, but later the tests were done in Mauritius only.

Strict screening of passengers and precautions for quarantine have proved very effective. Up to now, there is no positive case of COVID-19 in Mauritius. COVID-19 is highly contagious and easily transmissible, but it is less lethal than SARS and MERS. Dr V. Gujadhur and his team have had a month of sleepless nights and they have done a wonderful job. The Minister and the Ministry also need our hearty congratulations. We hope and pray that Mauritius will be spared this viral infection.

COVID-19 has also affected many other sectors. Mauritians studying in China have been brought back to Mauritius, some of them passing through France, where they were put in quarantine. They have returned home safely symptomless.

The tourism sector has also been affected. 6,000 less Chinese tourists monthly are coming to Mauritius. Trade and commerce have also been affected, due to less cargo shipments from China and lockdowns in Wuhan and surrounding areas. Air Mauritius flights to China and Hong Kong have stopped. The only positive effect is that the price of petroleum in the world market is going down.
*The author is a Professor Emeritus in ENT; SSR Medical College, and President of the Private Clinics Association.

Dr Dawood OARIS
Professor Emeritus in ENT, SSR Medical College, and President of the Private Clinics Association

Source : Discover & Invest Issue 15