Introduction to the Unprecedented Pandemic - How the Information Spreads

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some of which cause illness in people, and others that circulate among mammals and birds. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can spread to humans, and then spread between people. Zoonotic coronaviruses have emerged in recent years to cause human outbreaks such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

Disease Manifestation Illness in humans mainly manifests as a respiratory infection, or sometimes gastrointestinal infection. The clinical spectrum of illness varies from no symptoms or mild respiratory symptoms to severe, rapidly progressive pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, or multi-organ failure resulting in death.

RELATED CONDITIONS

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) An acute respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It was first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019. Since then it has spread to many countries around the world, with the World Health Organization declaring it a pandemic. The case fatality rate is approximately 2.3% (based on initial information).

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) An acute viral respiratory tract infection caused by MERS-CoV. It was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Cases have been limited to the Arabian Peninsula and its surrounding countries, and to travellers from the Middle East or their contacts. The case fatality rate is approximately 37%.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) An acute viral respiratory tract infection caused by SARS-CoV. It was first identified in the Guangdong province of Southern China in 2002. The epidemic affected 26 countries and resulted in more than 8000 cases and 774 deaths in 2003. There have been no reported cases since 2004. The case fatality rate is approximately 10%.

Incubation period 5 to 24 days

Reproductive number (shows high transmission) R0 >2-2.5

Symptoms:

• A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

• A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

Diagnosis: RT—PCR

Treatment: Providing fluid, oxygen and ventilatory support Chloroquine, Ritonavir, Remdesivir

Transmission: Airborne and droplet infection. Airborne droplets containing covid-19 can travel distances of 3 feet to 1 meter Prevention • Avoid travel to outbreak areas • Stay away from crowds • Stay >6 feet to 2 Mts away from anyone with symptoms • Wearing a surgical mask is (not recommended) • Avoid touching eyes and nose. (T-ZONE) • Wash your hands with detergent and soap.

Given that there is currently neither a vaccine against COVID-19 nor any specific, proven, antiviral medication, most treatment will therefore be towards managing symptoms and providing support to patients with complications.

UK Contingency Plan for COVID-19

Contain: detect early cases, follow up close contacts, and prevent the disease taking hold in this country for as long as is reasonably possible

Delay: slow the spread in this country, if it does take hold, lowering the peak impact and pushing it away from the winter season

Research: better understand the virus and the actions that will lessen its effect on the UK population; innovate responses including diagnostics, drugs and vaccines; use the evidence to inform the development of the most effective models of care

Mitigate: provide the best care possible for people who become ill, support hospitals to maintain essential services and ensure ongoing support for people ill in the community to minimise the overall impact of the disease on society, public services and on the economy.

REFERENCES

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/Responding-to-a-uk-flu-pandemic https://www.who.int/blueprint/priority-diseases/key-action/novel-coronavirus/en/