The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is spreading through China at an alarming rate as officials put entire cities under quarantine to halt its spread. On Monday, 17 Chinese cities were on lockdown and tens of millions of people were prevented from moving around the country.
But the number of infections is on the rise and has skyrocketed in the last two weeks.
The new strain of the coronavirus pathogen was traced to a busy seafood market in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, in December 2019.
The virus has since infected more than 2,700 people with mild to harsh pneumonia-like symptoms and infections are appearing beyond China’s borders.
Coronavirus infections have been confirmed in South Korea, Japan, Australia, the US, Thailand, Nepal, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore and France.
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Are bats spreading the coronavirus pathogen?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the coronavirus family is zoonotic, meaning it can spread between humans and animals.
Although the exact source of the novel coronavirus is yet to be discovered, some have suggested snakes and bats could be to blame.
According to a 2016 study penned by Polish scientists, bats have been responsible for spreading other strains of the deadly virus.
The study, titled Bats as a reservoir of viruses dangerous to humans and animals, was published by researchers from the National Veterinary Institute of Poland.
Authors Marcin Smreczak and Jan Zmudzinski wrote: “Considering the fact there are more than 1,000 species of bats and bats are presented in every corner of the world, it is almost certain zoonotic outbreaks in the future will originate with bats.
it is almost certain zoonotic outbreaks in the future will originate with bats
Marcin Smreczak and Jan Zmudzinski, National Veterinary Institute of Poland
“The best way of preventing these epidemics will be to adapt the One Health method alongside monitoring bats, educating people about the dangers coming from these animals and expanding the basic research into bat biology, immunology and epidemiology, to better understand the behaviours between bats and their influence on spreading infections.”
In their study, the researchers also noted other factors that can greatly contribute to the spread of so-called Emerging Infectious Disease.
These are factors such as urbanisation, the destruction of natural habitats and international travel.
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Although in most cases bats will spread viral infections through direct contact with humans or by being consumed, there are documented cases of infected intermediaries being involved.
The civet cat, for instance, was linked to the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) between 2002 and 2003 – a deadly coronavirus disease.
The researchers said: “Retrospective studies of 335 epidemics in the past 64 years – 1940 to 2004 – clearly underlined the role of animals as sources of infectious factors attacking humans.
“It should be pointed out that the incidence of diseases increased significantly during the period under analysis, with a marked increase in the 1980s.”
On Sunday, January 26, the WHO released a situation report analysing the threat posed by the novel coronavirus.
The report found the number of confirmed infections spiked between January 25 and January 26 by 649.
Although the exact source of the virus is yet to be determined, the WHO recommends avoiding contact with farm animals and wild animals.
The WHO said: “People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette – maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands.”
What are the symptoms of the Novel Coronavirus?
The novel coronavirus is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans but it shares symptoms with known strains.
The most common symptoms shared across the pathogen family include fever, coughing, shortness of breath and breathing problems.
In more severe cases, the symptoms can develop into kidney failure, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome and even death.
The WHO said: “There is no specific treatment for disease caused by a novel coronavirus.
“However, many of the symptoms can be treated and therefore treatment based on the patient’s clinical condition.”
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