The public is currently turning its attention to the strange pneumonia outbreak caused by a new strain of coronavirus in China. This virus has been confirmed to have originated from a seafood market in Wuhan city, and after more than three weeks, it has caused 17 deaths, raising the number of patients to over 571.
It is known that this virus, named 2019-nCov, has been confirmed by WHO to have limited human-to-human transmission potential, and has now appeared in several countries around the world (Japan, South Korea, the USA, Thailand…). Most notably, Vietnam recently reported 2 suspected cases of coronavirus infection, including a female student who just returned from Wuhan.
Of course, this is still just a suspicion and there is no official conclusion yet. WHO itself is also not certain about declaring the flu outbreak as a global concern. However, during this phase, it is best to proactively implement preventive methods, and here are the actions to take to protect yourself, according to WHO’s recommendations.
Ways to Protect Yourself
1. Avoid close contact with people showing signs of illness
According to WHO, as of now, coronavirus nCov has been confirmed to have limited human-to-human transmission capability. Therefore, what is necessary now is to avoid large gatherings and limit close contact with those showing signs of illness.
The signs here are respiratory symptoms – cough, sneezing, runny nose. Some symptoms to pay attention to are high fever, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing. Severe cases may lead to pneumonia, kidney failure, or even death.
2. Eat cooked food and drink boiled water
Scientists believe this new coronavirus originated from an animal species (suspected to be snakes) and then transmitted to humans. This has not been confirmed, but WHO advises families to thoroughly cook meat and eggs to minimize risks.
3. Avoid visiting fresh markets
During this time, it is necessary to limit visits to crowded places, especially fresh markets. According to WHO, this is the group “at the highest risk of infection.”
4. Follow basic rules during the flu season
According to Dr. John Wiesman – Secretary of Health in the state of Washington, the public currently needs to implement basic preventive measures for regular flu seasons:
– Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
– Cover your mouth and nose with your hands when you want to cough or sneeze, and sanitize the surfaces you touch after coughing.
– If you or your doctor suspect you are infected with the new virus, quickly wear a medical mask to prevent the virus from spreading.
Reference: CNN, WHO